Data collection device having dynamic access to multiple wireless networks

ABSTRACT

There is set forth herein a method of providing network connectivity. The method can include introducing a new communication device within a communication range of a portable data collection device, the new communication device comprising a dynamic access module enabling the new communication device to receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to an access point. In one aspect the new communication device can receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to the access point if the new communication device determines that it is in range of both of said access point and the portable data collection device. There is set forth herein a system having a dynamic access module.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/601,541, filed Aug. 31, 2012, entitled “Data CollectionDevice Having Dynamic Access To Multiple Wireless Networks,” which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/779,369 (now U.S. Pat.No. 8,256,681), filed May 13, 2010, entitled “Data Collection DeviceHaving Dynamic Access To Multiple Wireless Networks,” which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/369,185 (now U.S. Pat.No. 7,717,342), filed Mar. 6, 2006, entitled “Data Collection DeviceHaving Dynamic Access To Multiple Wireless Networks,” which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Provisional Application No. 60/712,037,filed Aug. 26, 2005, entitled “Data Collection Device Having DynamicAccess To Multiple Wireless Networks” as well as priority under 35U.S.C. §119 of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/725,001, filed Oct.7, 2005, entitled “Data Collection Device Having Dynamic Access toMultiple Wireless Networks.” The priority of each of the aboveapplications is claimed and each of the above applications isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to system and methods of datacommunication and is specifically related to a system and method of datacommunication in a data collection system having data collectiondevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years significant advances have been made in the art of datacollection devices and networks containing the same.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,613, a data collection device system is describedhaving a data collection device adapted to read bar code data whereinthe data collection device is in communication with a local hostprocessor and a remote host processor. The data collection device ofU.S. Pat. No. 5,900,613 is configured to report bar code data to aremote computer and execute reprogramming routines to receive programdata either or both from the remote host processor and the local hostprocessor.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,176, a data collection device system is describedhaving a bar code reading device and a host computer. The bar codereading device is equipped to send bar code data and associated imagedata to the host. The image data may contain digital images associatedwith transmitted bar code data. In one example described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,298,176, image data sent to a host includes image datarepresenting a handwritten signature.

In U.S. Publication No. US2002/0171745, a data collection device systemis described having a bar code reading device which is in communicationwith a remote computer. The bar code reading device sends image data andassociated bar code data to a remote computer. In one combined barcode/image data transmission scheme described in the above patentapplication publication decoded bar code message data identifying aparcel is stored within an open byte header location of an image fileincluding an image representation of the parcel.

U.S. Publication No. US2002/0171745, an image data file in .PDF, .TIFF,or .BMP file format is created at a data collection device whichincludes an image representation of a decoded bar code message and animage representation of the package including the bar code encoding thedecoded message.

In U.S. Publication No. US2003/0132292, a data collection device isdescribed having a data collection terminal including a bar code readingunit, an RFID reading unit, a mag stripe data reading unit, a chip cardreading unit, and a fingerprint reading unit. The terminal is coupled toa network, which is configured to facilitate financial transactionsinvolving data collected utilizing the various reading units.

As significant as the above developments are, shortcomings have beennoted with the operation of presently available data collection devicesand the systems in which they are incorporated. For example, whilewireless data collection systems have proliferated, connectivity issuesremain with such systems. In deploying a wireless data collection systema costly “site survey” is often commissioned to search for “dead zones”in work environments Dead zones are prevalent in many data collectionwork environments, particularly where obstructions to free radio wavepropagation exist. Metal structures and water are known to obstruct thefree propagation of radio waves. Since metallic structures (e.g.,shelving, equipment including medical test equipment) and water(plumbing and piping) are common in data collection work environments,data collection work environments are often found to have numerous deadzones. Where a data collection work environment to be serviced by anIEEE 802.11 wireless communication system is found to have numerous“dead zones,” the “solution” proposed by a site surveyor is often tointegrate numerous additional access points into the system. Theadditional access points are costly and typically require connection toan expanded wire-line bus. In many data collection systems the number ofintegrated access points is equal or greater than the number of datacollection devices.

Accordingly, there is a need for further advances in data collectiondevices and systems in which they are connected, and management of datacollected utilizing such networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a data collection system according to theinvention;

FIG. 1 b is a block diagram illustrating electrical components which maybe incorporated in a data collection device according to the invention;

FIG. 1 c illustrates a data collection system according to the inventionincluding a retail store;

FIG. 1 d is a system diagram illustrating a specific implementation of asystem according to the invention;

FIG. 1 e is a rear perspective view of an access point of a systemaccording to the invention showing a port for adapting the access pointfor connection to a wireline bus;

FIG. 2 a is a system diagram illustrating a data collection systemaccording to the invention wherein the presence of double arrows betweena pair of spaced apart devices indicates that the devices are inconnection range of one another;

FIGS. 2 b-2 e are additional system diagrams illustrating aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 2 f is a system diagram illustrating a data collection systemaccording to the invention wherein the presence of double arrows betweena pair of spaced apart devices indicates that the devices are inconnection range of one another;

FIGS. 3 a-3 c are a series of diagrams for purposes of describingintegrations of various processing modules in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation of a device operating inaccordance with a dynamic access module according to the invention;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are diagrams illustrating construction of a datapacket which may be transmitted and received by a data collection deviceaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 6 a-6 d are diagrams illustrating construction of various datapackets according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram illustrating timing in an illustrativemulti-hop data packet transmission according to the invention;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate an exemplary hand held portable datacollection device housing into which all of the components of FIG. 1 dmay be integrated;

FIGS. 9 a-9 c illustrate an exemplary portable and remountable housinginto which all of the components of FIG. 1 b may be integrated, andwhich may support all of the components of FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 10 a illustrates a first exemplary deployment of a data collectiondevice according to the invention within a retail store;

FIG. 10 b illustrates a second exemplary deployment of a data collectiondevice according to the invention within a retail store;

FIGS. 10 c and 10 d illustrate PIN and signature data entry operationalmodes of a data collection device according to the invention;

FIGS. 11 a-11 b illustrate perspective and perspective assembly views ofa first exemplary imaging module which may be incorporated into a datacollection device according to the invention;

FIG. 11 c illustrates exemplary illumination and aiming patterns whichmay be projected by an imaging module according to the invention;

FIGS. 12 a-12 c illustrate exemplary structures carrying RFID tags whichmay be read by a data collection device according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a table which may be utilized by a device according to theinvention when operating in a mode in which a device activates one outof a plurality of self-routing algorithm modules based on the content ofa data packet being transmitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a major aspect and broadly stated, the invention relates toa data collection system comprising a plurality of data collectiondevices and an access point. The access point can be wireline connectedto a local server so that the access point provides access to local andremote server applications and databases. Each of the system's datacollection devices can have an encoded information reader unit and adynamic access module. The dynamic access module, among other functions,enables a data collection device to receive a data packet containingpayload data from a peer device and transmit that payload data to asystem access point and similarly receive a data packet containingpayload data from an access point and transmit that payload data to apeer device.

An access point of a system of the invention may examine data packets ofdevices of a system according to the invention to determine whether apower save function has been selected, and if a power save function hasbeen selected, may buffer data packets that are addressed to the deviceselecting the power save function.

A dynamic access module of each data collection device may include alinking component, a switching component, a self-healing component, anda self-routing component.

In accordance with the linking component of the dynamic access module, adata collection device according to the invention evaluates whether itis in range of an access point and in range of a peer device. If thedata collection device determines that it is in range of an access pointbut not a peer device, communications between the data collection deviceand the access point are enabled and communications between the datacollection device and peer devices are disabled. If a data collectiondevice determines that it is in range of a peer device but not in rangeof an access point, communications between the data collection deviceand peer devices are enabled and communications between the datacollection device and the access point are disabled. If the datacollection device determines that it is in range of both an access pointand a peer device, a switching component of the dynamic access module isactivated to enable both communications between the data collectiondevice and the system access point and between the data collectiondevice and its peer devices.

In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, the system incorporatesan IEEE 802.11 wireless network, including an IEEE 802.11 access point.IEEE 802.11 networks provide two major communication modes; namely, aninfrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode. In general, when a deviceoperates in the infrastructure mode, it is enabled to transmit to andreceive data packets from an access point running in infrastructure modebut not a peer device. When a device operates in an ad hoc mode, thedevice is enabled to transmit and receive data packets from peer devicesand access points running in ad hoc mode but not the access pointrunning in infrastructure mode. According to the invention, whereimplemented in a wireless communication system in accordance with theIEEE 802.11 Standard, activation of the switching component of thedynamic access module causes a data collection device of the inventionto dynamically (continuously) switch between communicating in aninfrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode so that payload data of datapackets received from a peer device in an ad hoc mode can be transmittedto an access point in an infrastructure mode and further so that payloaddata of data packets received from an infrastructure mode can betransmitted to a peer device in an ad hoc mode.

In accordance with a self-healing component of the dynamic accessmodule, a data collection device monitors data throughput and activatesa change in the present communication mode depending on the result ofthe monitoring. For example, if the device determines that throughput ina presently enabled mode is too low, the device may automaticallyactivate an alternative communication mode such as infrastructure mode,ad hoc mode, or dynamic access mode (which is switching betweeninfrastructure and ad hoc mode continuously).

In accordance with a self-routing component of the dynamic accessmodule, each data collection device of a data collection device systemincorporates a self-routing algorithm so that each device is equipped toparticipate in a self-organized network (SO). Where a plurality ofportable or remountable data collection devices incorporate self-routingalgorithms, long range data packet communications can be facilitated bydeployment of a plurality of data collection devices that are inaccordance with the invention in a data collection system with little orno reconfiguration of existing system equipment. When a plurality ofdata collection devices are deployed in a data collection system,multi-hop data communications may be supported between a device and asystem access point where the device is out of range of the accesspoint.

Referring to FIG. 1 a, a portable data collection device 100 isincorporated into a data collection system 1000 including a plurality ofnetworks 200, 3001, 300A, 400, and 500. Network 200 is a wireline localarea network, network 300I is a wireless infrastructure network, network300A is a local ad hoc network, network 400 is an IP network shown inthe specific embodiment as the Internet and network 500 is a remote dataarchiving network managed by a data archiving entity. The datacollection system 1000 includes a plurality of data collection devices100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5 and network access point 210. Thenetwork access point 210 functions as a node within the wireline localarea network 200 and as a node within the wireless infrastructurenetwork 300I. The wireline local area network 200 also includes a server240 and a plurality of computer devices such as a personal computer (PC)250. As will be described more fully herein, wireless infrastructurenetwork 300I in the specific illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 aincludes access point 210, 210′, device 100-1, and device 100-3 whereasad hoc network 300A includes devices 100-1, 100-2, 100-4, 100-5. Inaccordance with the invention device 100-1 in the particularillustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a is enabled to function as anode within wireless infrastructure network 300I and as a node within adhoc network 300A. System 1000 may also include a gateway 242 betweennetwork 200 and network 400 and a gateway 412 between network 400 andnetwork 500. While different “networks” are designated herein, it isrecognized that a single network as seen from the network layer 3106 ofthe OSI module (FIG. 3 b) can comprise a plurality of lower layernetworks, e.g., what can be regarded as a single IP network can includea plurality of different physical networks.

Referring to further aspects of the networks of data collection system1000, network 500 is located remotely from the network 200 and can belocated thousands of miles from network 200. Network 500, for example,can include a webpage server 410, which is in communication with variousdatabases 420, 430. Network 500 can be in communication with network 200via Internet network 400 or another communications path, such as apublicly accessible network, and/or through a private lease line, suchas line 310.

In one embodiment of the invention, access point 210 of system 1000 isan access point in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 Standard, (i.e., inaccordance with one of the 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11e,and 802.11i Specifications). Each device 100 of system 1000 canincorporate a radio transceiver in accordance with the 802.11 Standard,(i.e., in accordance with one of the 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g,802.11e, and 802.11i Specifications) and can have an associated uniqueInternet Protocol (IP) address. All devices 100 of system 1000 in rangeof access point 210 can share a common station service identification(SSID).

Referring to attributes of access point 210, access point 210 iswireline connected to server 240 via wireline bus 215 shown throughoutthe views and in communication with remote server 410 via network 400.Thus, communication with access point 210 provides access to all filesand applications stored on server 240 or server 410. Access point 210can be designed to have a large antennae 212 boosting the transmit andreceive range and throughput of data through access point 210. Wirelinebus 215 can be provided by e.g., an Ethernet cable, to form a backboneof the network 200.

Access point 210 can include coordination module 1422 which enablesaccess point 210 to manage the receipt of data packets from several datacollection devices. For example, the access point can coordinate thesending of clear to send (CTS) messages to each of several devices100-1, 100-2, 100-3 so that each of several devices 100-1, 100-2, 100-3are given different time slots in which to transmit data to access point210 to the end that data collisions which might otherwise result fromseveral devices communicating data packets to access point 210simultaneously are avoided.

Access point 210 may also be implemented with enhanced securityfeatures, and can manage a system power conservation scheme. Accordingto a security feature (e.g., the WEP feature, where access point is an802.11 access point), access point 210 may incorporate security module1424 which enables access point 210 to encrypt data packets transmittedto a device and decrypt data packets received from a device. Inaccordance with security module 1424 access point 210 may examine acontrol field of a received data packet to determine if a securityfeature (e.g., WEP) is enabled, and if it is enabled, decrypt thereceived data packet.

Referring to power management services, access point 210 can incorporatea power management module 1426. According to a power save function whichcan be managed by access point 210 in accordance with power managementmodule 1426, access point 210 may examine control fields of receiveddata packets to determine whether a transmitting device, e.g., device100, 100-1 has requested a power save mode. If such examinationindicates a power save mode has been selected, access point 210 maybuffer data packets addressed to a device 100, 100-1, and send them atappropriate times when requested by device 100, 100-1.

In another aspect, access point 210 may include a Distribution DataService (DSS) module 1428. The DSS module 1428 enables association withnew portable data terminals that enter a communication range with accesspoint 210. Access point 210 may be constructed to have high datathroughput capacity and may be alternating current (AC) powered, makingaccess point 210 impervious to battery failures.

As indicated by the view of FIG. 1 a, the above access point processingmodules may be incorporated in a portable housing 213, which is portableso that access point 210 may be moved from location to location within asystem in which it is incorporated in order to optimize performance ofaccess point 210. Access point 210 can be equipped with a suitable port211 (e.g., an Ethernet connector port) which adapts access point 210 tobe wireline connected to bus 215 of wireline network 200 so that whenaccess point 210 is wireline connected to bus 215, access point 210 iswireline connected to network 200 and part of network 200 and further sothat access point 210 is wireline connected to server 240 via wirelinebus 215.

Now referring to attributes of data collection device 100 in furtherdetail with reference to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, a data collection device 100according to the invention can have a radio frequency communicationinterface block 5711, a dynamic access module 1406, and an encodedinformation reader unit 400. As will be described more fully herein,dynamic access module 1406 can be a software implemented processingmodule which, among other functions, enables a data collection device100 to wirelessly receive a data packet containing payload data from apeer device 100 over a wireless transceiver and transmit that payloaddata to a system access point 210 and similarly receive a data packetcontaining payload data from an access point 210 and transmit thatpayload data to a peer device 100. Encoded information reader unit 400can include one or more of a bar code reader unit, an RFID reader unit,and a credit/debit card reader unit. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 1 b, an exemplary bar code reader unit is shown as being providedby an imaging assembly 200 and a control circuit 552 which manages thecapture of image data into memory 566 and the subsequent decoding ofimage data in accordance with a symbology decoding program stored inmemory 566. A bar code reader unit may also be provided by a producthaving dedicated decode circuit such as an IT 4XXX or IT 5XXX imagingmodule with decode out circuit as is available from Hand Held Products,Inc. of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. An RFID reader unit 1250 in theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 b comprises RF oscillator and receivercircuit 1252 and decode circuit 1254 while card reader unit 1350includes signal detection circuit 1352 and card decoder 1354. A controlcircuit 552, which may be incorporated in a processor IC chip 548, maymanage the control of various components of device 100, including one ormore radio transceivers or RF block 5711. Components of exemplary datacollection device 100 as shown in FIG. 1 b are described in greaterdetail herein.

Referring to aspects of dynamic access module 1406 in further detailwith reference to FIG. 3 a, dynamic access module 1406 of each datacollection device 100 may include a linking component 1462, aself-healing component 1464, a switching component 1472, a self-routingcomponent 1466 and a packet discrimination component 1480. The modulesdescribed herein, such as access point modules 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428,and dynamic access module 1406 of device 100 including component modules1462, 1464, 1472, 1480, 1466, 1467, 1468, 1469, 1490 typically areprovided by software programming of a programmable processing device,but may also be implemented with dedicated hardware circuitry or by acombination of software and dedicated hardware circuitry. In that theprogramming of a programmable processing device in a particular mannerresults in a specifically configured circuit being provided, processingmodules described herein such as modules 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1462,1464, 1472, 1480, 1466, 1467, 1468, 1469, 1490 can alternatively beregarded as “circuits.”

In accordance with the linking component of dynamic access module 1406in one embodiment, data collection device 100 evaluates whether it is inrange of an access point 210 and in range of a peer device 100. If datacollection device 100 determines that it is in range of an access point210 but not a peer device 100, communications between the datacollection device 100 and the access point 210 are enabled andcommunications between the data collection device 100 and peer devices100 are disabled. If a data collection device 100 determines that it isin range of a peer device 100 but not in range of an access point 210,communications between the data collection device 100 and peer devices100 are enabled and communications between the data collection device100 and the access point 210 are disabled. If the data collection device100 determines that it is in range of both an access point 210 and apeer device 100, switching component 1472 of the dynamic access module1406 is activated to enable both communications between the datacollection device 100 and the system access point 210 and between thedata collection device 100 and the peer devices 100.

System 1000 can incorporate an IEEE 802.11 wireless network, includingan IEEE 802.11 access point 210, and devices 100 that incorporate one ormore radio transceivers 5712, as shown in FIG. 1 b, in accordance withthe IEEE 802.11 Standard. IEEE 802.11 networks provide two majorcommunication modes; namely infrastructure mode, as part of the BasicService Set (BSS) available in and IEEE 802.11 network and ad hoc mode,as part of the Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) available in an IEEE802.11 network. In general, when a device 100 operates in infrastructuremode it is enabled to transmit and receive data packets from an accesspoint 210 operating in infrastructure mode but not a peer device 100. Ininfrastructure mode, as is depicted in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, allcommunications between devices 100-1, 100-2 are through access point210, which operates as a bridge to broadcast data packets received. Whendevice 100 incorporating an 802.11 radio transceiver 5712 operates in adhoc mode, the device is enabled to transmit and receive data packetsfrom peer devices 100 and access points 210 running in ad hoc mode butnot an access point 210 operating in infrastructure mode. In ad hocmode, as depicted in FIGS. 2 d and 2 e, data packets can be sentdirectly between peer devices 100. According to the invention, whereimplemented in a wireless communication system in accordance with theIEEE 802.11 Standard, activation of switching component 1472 of thedynamic access module 1406 causes a data collection device 100 of theinvention dynamically (continuously) switch between communicating ininfrastructure mode and ad hoc mode so that payload data of data packetsreceived from a peer device in ad hoc mode can be transmitted to anaccess point in infrastructure mode and further so that payload data ofdata packets received from an access point in infrastructure mode can betransmitted to a peer device in an ad hoc mode.

Functionality of a device 100 operating in accordance with linkingcomponent 1462 of dynamic access module 1406 is described with referenceto the flow diagram of FIG. 4. At block 5102 data collection device 100queries nodes of system 1000 via switching between infrastructure modeand ad hoc mode. If data collection device 100 at block 5104 determinesthat it is in range of access point 210 but not in range of a peerdevice 100, data collection device 100 commences operation in aninfrastructure mode at block 5106 by joining a BSS network in range ofdevice 100. If at block 5108 data collection device 100 determines thatit is in range of a peer device 100 but not in range of an access point210, data collection device 100 at block 5110 commences operation in adhoc mode by joining an IBSS network in range of device 100. If at block5112 data collection device 100 determines that it is in range of bothan access point 210 and a peer device 100, data collection device 100 atblock 5114 activates switching component 1472 to activateinfrastructure/ad hoc mode network switching.

When network switching is activated, data collection device 100continuously dynamically (continuously) switches between communicatingin an infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode. The switching may be at fixedtime intervals, e.g., as governed by the maximum packet transmissiontime or at variable time intervals. In an illustrative embodiment of theinvention, device 100 operating in accordance with switching component1472 dynamically switches between infrastructure and ad hoc mode at 100ms intervals; that is, device 100 operates in infrastructure mode for100 ms; switches to ad hoc mode; operates in ad hoc mode for 100 ms;switches back to infrastructure mode; operates in infrastructure modefor 100 ms and so on. In another illustrative embodiment, device 100dynamically switches between infrastructure and ad hoc mode at 200 msintervals. With network switching activated, data collection device 100is enabled to receive data packets containing payload data from anaccess point 210 in infrastructure mode and transmit the payload data toa peer device 100 in ad hoc mode and is similarly enabled to receive adata packet containing payload data from a peer device 100 in ad hocmode and transmit the data to an access point 210 in infrastructuremode. Further, in accordance with switching component 1472, device 100,while conducting switching may buffer data packet as is necessary andmight reformat the data packet for data transmission.

In another aspect of switching component 1472 of dynamic access module1406, a device 100 in switching mode (e.g., device 100-1 of FIG. 1 a)sends data packets at certain times to access point 210 and to peerdevices 100 that indicate to nodes of the system 1000 the timing of theswitching. Specifically, just prior to ceasing operation in ad hoc mode,and prior to entering infrastructure mode, a device in dynamic switchingmode (e.g., device 100-1, FIG. 1 a) may send a data packet requesting apower save function. Peer devices 100 receiving the data packet mayexamine the data packet to confirm that a power save function isrequested and can thereafter buffer data packets addressed to theswitching device 100-1 (FIG. 1 a). Just after entering infrastructuremode, device 100-1 (FIG. 1 a) in switching mode can send a data packetto access point 210, requesting the sending of data packets buffered byaccess point and addressed to the switching device 100-1 (FIG. 1 a).Just prior to ceasing operation in infrastructure mode and prior toreentering ad hoc mode, a switching data collection device 100-1 (FIG. 1a) can send a data packet to access point 210, requesting a power savefunction and thereafter access point 210 can buffer data packetsaddressed to the switching device. After reentering ad hoc mode, datacollection device 100-1 (FIG. 1 a) operating in dynamic switching modecan send a data packet to peer devices requesting sending of datapackets buffered by the peer devices 100 and addressed to the switchingdevice 100-1.

A set of rules governing operation of device 100 in accordance withlinking component are summarized in Table A. Device 100 can beconfigured to operate in accordance with the linking rules of Table Awhen device is introduced to (initialized in) system 1000, i.e., whendevice is powered on in a position in range of a device 100 or accesspoint 210 or is moved while in a powered-up state into a position inrange of a device 100 or access point 210.

TABLE A Linking Rules 1. Initialize data collection device 100 ininfrastructure mode and detect whether there is an access pointoperating in infrastructure mode in range of the device. 2. Switch datacollection device 100 to ad hoc mode and detect if the device is inrange of a peer device. 3. If there is only an access point operating ininfrastructure mode in range of data collection device 100, switch toinfrastructure mode 4. If there is only peer device(s) in range of thedevice, switch to ad hoc mode 5. If both an access point and peerdevices are in range of the data collection device, activate switchingcomponent 1472 to continuously switch between infrastructure mode and adhoc mode.

With reference to system 1000 of FIG. 1 a, wherein each of devices100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5 incorporates dynamic access module1406 having linking component 1462 operating in accordance with thelinking rules of Table A, it is seen that device 100-3 is in range of anaccess point 210 only. Accordingly, device 100-3 communicates ininfrastructure mode and is enabled to send to and receive data packetsfrom access point 210 in infrastructure mode. Devices 100-2, 100-4,100-5 are in range of a peer device 100 but not access point 210 andare, therefore, enabled to communicate in ad hoc mode. Devices 100 areenabled to communicate with peer devices 100-2, 100-4, 100-5 operatingin ad hoc mode but not access point 210 (unless the access point is alsooperating in ad hoc mode and one of devices 100 enters the range of theaccess point 210). Device 100-1 is in range of both access point 210 anda peer device 100 and is, therefore, activated to switch continuouslybetween infrastructure and ad hoc modes. Device 100 can be configured sothat the process steps described relative to FIG. 4, and Table A canoccur automatically, i.e., there need not be human intervention to causeprocessing to advance from a particular step to a next step.

The linking rules of Table A describe operation of device 100 whendevice 100 is first introduced into system 1000. However, over time, therelative positioning of devices 100 in system 1000 is expected tochange. For purposes of illustrating the invention, the illustrativeembodiment describing operation of the linking rules of Table A inconnection with FIG. 1 a assumes that each device 100 is introduced intosystem 1000 in the position indicated contemporaneously.

Referring to FIG. 2 f, another illustrative embodiment of the inventionis shown and described. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2 f,devices 100-3, 100-2, 100-1 each having dynamic access module andoperating in accordance with the linking rules of Table A are introducedinto system 1000 contemporaneously. System 1000 includes access point210 which operates continuously in infrastructure mode and which iswireline connected to server 240. Introduced and initialized in therelative positions shown, with connectivity designated by double arrows(i.e., with device 100-3 in range of a peer 100-2 and access point 210,device 100-2 in range of peer 100-3 and peer 100-1 and device 100-1 inrange of peer 100-2), device 100-3 operates in dynamic switching mode,while devices 100-2, 100-1 operate in ad hoc mode. Referring to thetiming diagram of FIG. 7, time TS₀ designates a time when device 100-3switches between infrastructure and ad hoc modes, time TS₁ designates atime at which device 100-3 switches from ad hoc to infrastructure mode,time TS₂ designates a succeeding switching time at which device 100-3switches from infrastructure to ad hoc mode and time TS₃ designates asucceeding time at which device 100-3 switches to infrastructure mode. Adata packet transmitted from device 100-1 and addressed to server 240can be transmitted along the hop sequence 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 210, 240.At time T₁ device 100-1 may transmit a data packet addressed to server240. A self-routing algorithm of device 100-1 may resolve that the hopsequence is 100-1 100-2, 100-3, 210, 240. At time T₁, devices 100-1,100-2 in accordance with the Table A linking rules, operate in ad hocmode while device 100-3 in dynamic switching mode operates ininfrastructure mode. Between times T₁ and TS₂ (the time that device100-3 switches modes), data packets destined for device 100-3 can bebuffered by device 100-2, or device 100-1. At time T₂ after switching toad hoc mode, switching device 100-3 (FIG. 20 receives the previouslybuffered data packet data from device 100-2. Switching data collectiondevice 100-3 buffers the data packet data until time T₃, a time afterdata collection device 100-3 switches back to infrastructure mode. Attime T₃, while operating in infrastructure mode, data collection device100-3 sends data of the received data packet to access point 210. Attime T₃, switching device 100-3 operates in infrastructure mode to senddata packet data to access point 210 also in infrastructure mode. It isnoted that during the time of the multi-hop transmission of data alongthe hop sequence 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 210, devices 100-1, 100-2continuously operate in ad hoc mode without switching to infrastructuremode between times T₁ and T₃.

In accordance with a self-healing component 1464 of dynamic accessmodule 1406, device 100 automatically monitors data throughput throughdevice 100 and automatically changes a communication mode in response tothe throughput monitoring. For example, in accordance with self-healingcomponent 1464, device 100 can be configured so that if device 100determines that data transmissions have dropped below a predeterminedlevel, device 100 automatically switches communication modes (e.g., frominfrastructure mode to ad hoc, from infrastructure to infrastructure/adhoc switching mode, from ad hoc mode to infrastructure mode, from ad hocmode to infrastructure/ad hoc switching mode, from infrastructure/ad hocswitching mode to infrastructure mode, from infrastructure/ad hocswitching mode to ad hoc mode). Device 100 can be configured so that thepredetermined level of acceptable data throughput is operator selectableby an operator of device 100 or system 1000. Where device 100 isconfigured so that an acceptable level of data throughput is operatorselectable, the data throughput level can be set to a non-zero level sothat mode changing occurs when data throughput falls below the operatorestablished threshold. Where device 100 is configured so that anacceptable level of data throughput is operator selectable, the datathroughput level can be set to a zero so that mode changing occurs onlywhen data throughput ceases (e.g., a network failure). Device 100 can beconfigured to carry out the steps described relative to self-healingcomponent 1464 automatically, i.e., without human intervention toadvance processing from a first step to a next step.

Referring to the view of FIG. 8 a, device 100 can be configured so thata throughput threshold setting for device 100 is selected by clicking onan appropriate icon 1502, 1504, 1506 of graphical user interface 910(GUI). A threshold can also be set utilizing a GUI selector bar 1508.GUI 910 can be created using an API of a closed standard operatingsystem (e.g., WINCE) or with use of an appropriate windows manager foran open standard operating system where device 100 incorporates an openstandard OS such as Linux. Available open standard windows managersinclude OPIE, QTOPIA, FVWM, and KDE. When icon 1502 is selected, a 50%of maximum throughput is set as the throughput threshold. When icon 1504is selected, a 25% of maximum throughput is set as a throughputthreshold. When icon 1506 is selected, the throughput threshold is setto zero so that device 100 will attempt to switch from its current mode(infrastructure, ad hoc, dynamic switching) only in the event of anetwork failure.

With reference to FIG. 3 b, an OSI model diagram is shown for furtherdescription of the invention. According to the OSI network layer model,data protocols may be implemented in one of seven layers; i.e., thephysical layer 3102 the link layer 3104, the network layer 3106, thetransport layer 3110, the session layer 3112, the presentation layer3114, and the application layer 3116. Dynamic access module 1406 whichmodifies the standard functioning of a NIC radio driver, can haveseveral components, such as linking component 1462, self-healingcomponent 1464, and switching component 1472 that can be regarded asbeing inserted in the link layer 3104 above the physical/Mac layer 3102.Commercially available operating systems provide application programinterfaces (APIs) enabling programmers to alter radio drivers. Forexample, WINDOWS XP provides a Network Driver Interface Specification(NDIS) enabling programmers to custom define radio communicationprotocols and other drivers for a variety of processor interfacingdevices. WINDOWS CE (WINCE) also provides an NDIS. Where device 100incorporates a Linux kernel, a protocol driver for a radio of device 100can be defined using an open source API such as “Linux WirelessExtensions.”

In accordance with a self-routing component 1466 of the dynamic accessmodule 1406, each data collection device 100 of a data collection devicesystem 1000 can incorporate a self-routing algorithm so that each deviceis equipped to participate in a self-organized network (SO) such thatwhere a plurality of portable or remountable data collection devices inad hoc mode will automatically activate self-routing algorithms to forma Self-Organized (SO) network. The multi-hop data packet transmissionsare supported between devices of the SO network.

In one specific embodiment, self-routing component 1466 of dynamicaccess module 1406 is implemented using MESHNETWORKS SCALABLE ROUTING(MSR) protocol of the type available from MESHNETWORKS of Maitland, Fla.In another illustrative embodiment, SO service algorithms of the typeavailable from GREENPACKETS, INC. are incorporated into devices 100. Ina particular illustrative embodiment, self-routing component 1466 ofeach device 100 of system 1000 incorporates SONbuddy self-organizednetwork routing algorithm software of the type available fromGREENPACKETS, INC. of Cupertino, Calif. The Self Organized routingalgorithms (SO services) of the data collection device 100 forimplementation of the dynamic access module can be proactive, reactive,hierarchical, geographical, power aware, or multicast routingalgorithms. The MSR protocol from MESHNETWORKS comprises elements ofproactive and reactive routing. Available self organizing routingalgorithms base routing on a variety of factors including such as signalstrength, error rate, power consumption and availability, securityconcerns, quality of service (QOS) parameters, and latency (the time oftransmission from a transmission mode to a destination mode). In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 3 c, dynamic access communicationprotocol module 1406 incorporates a latency based SO routing algorithmmodule 1467, a power aware SO routing algorithm module 1468, and a biterror rate SO routing algorithm module 1469.

When incorporating an SO routing algorithm module as part ofself-routing component 1466, each data collection device 100 as shown inFIG. 1 a can periodically broadcast one or more routing table datapackets to one or more other data collection devices 100 which are in adhoc mode or in dynamic access mode. Each data collection device ofnetwork 300A can also periodically receive one or more routing tabledata packets from neighboring peer devices 100 in connecting range ofdevice. Routing table data packets that are transmitted and received bya device 100 can include metrics or other messages that enable device100 to update a routing table stored in a memory of the device 100. Arouting table can include network addresses of all or a subset of nodeswithin a self-organized network, such as network 300A shown in FIG. 1 a.When data collection device 100 activates an on demand routing algorithmmodule, data collective device 100 can send a Route Request (RREQ) datapacket and receive a Route Reply (RREP) data packet.

For larger SO networks, nodes of the network can be divided into“clusters” or “zones” and routing tables updated with routing table datapackets broadcast and received by a data collection device 100 caninclude information characterizing the various clusters. In oneillustrative embodiment, a designated first set of nodes 100 of network300A can be designated to store complete routing tables, and adesignated second set of nodes 100 can be configured to relay packetdata to those nodes storing complete routing tables.

Referring to self-routing algorithm modules 1467, 1468, 1469 in greaterdetail, a device 100 operating with latency based routing algorithmmodule 1467 active can determine a routing path primarily based on whichrouting path out of a plurality of possible routing paths will yield theshortest transmission time for transmitting a data packet between asource node and a destination node. Device 100 operating with poweraware routing algorithm module 1468 active can determine a routing pathprimarily based on which routing path out of a plurality of possiblerouting paths will increase the battery life of one or more devices ofthe self-organized network. Device 100 operating with bit error ratebased routing algorithm module 1469 active can determine a routing pathprimarily based on which routing path out of a plurality of possiblerouting paths can be expected to yield the smallest bit error intransmitting a data packet between a source node and a destination node.

Aspects of latency based routing algorithms are described in variouspublications such as A New Method to Make Communication Latency Uniform:Distributed Routing Balancing, D. Franco, et al. of the UniversitatAutònoma de Barcelona Department d'Informàtica, 1999, 10 pgs.,Barcelona, Spain, Adaptive Routing of QoS-Constrained Media overScalable Overlay Topologies, Gerald Fry, et al., Boston UniversityDepartment of Computer Science, 2003, 28 pgs., Boston, Mass., ALow-Latency Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks, Antonio G.Ruzzelli, et al., Adaptive Information Cluster, Smart Media Institute inthe Department of Computer Science at the University College Dublin,2003, 6 pgs., Belfield, Dublin and A Low Latency Router SupportingAdaptivity for On-Chip Interconnects, Jongman Kim, et al., Department ofComputer Science and Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, June2005, 6 pgs., University Park, PA, Request For Comments: 1058—RoutingInformation Protocol, C. Hedrick, Network Working Group, RutgersUniversity, June 1988, 33 pgs., Request For Comments: 2453—RIP Version2, G. Malkin, Network Working Group, Bay Networks, November 1998, 39pgs. and Internetworking Technologies Handbook: Routing InformationProtocol, Cisco Systems, Inc., Third Edition, Cisco Press, Dec. 1, 2001,pp. 47-1-47-5, Indianapolis, Ind. Aspects of power-aware based routingalgorithms are described in various publications such as OnlinePower-Aware Routing in Wireless Ad-hoc Networks, Qun Li, et al.,Department of Computer Science at Dartmouth College, 2001, 10 pgs.,Hanover, N.H., Power-Aware Routing in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks, Mike Woo,et al., Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at OregonState University and Aerospace Corporation, 1998, 15 pgs., Carvallis,Oreg. and El Segundo, Calif. and Fair Coalitions For Power-Aware Routingin Wireless Networks, Ratul K. Guha, et al., Department of Engineeringand Applied Science, Computer and Information Science, and ElectricalEngineering at the University of Pennsylvania, Jul. 20, 2004, 21 pgs.,Pennsylvania. Aspects of bit error rate routing algorithms are describedin such publications as Congestion-Optimized Multi-Path Streaming ofVideo Over Ad Hoc Wireless Networks, Eric Setton, et al., InformationSystems Laboratory in the Department of Electrical Engineering atStanford University, 2004, 4 pgs., Stanford, Calif. and MinimizingDistortion for Multi-Path Video Streaming Over Ad Hoc Networks, EricSetton, et al., Information Systems Laboratory in the Department ofElectrical Engineering at Stanford University, 2004, 4 pgs., Stanford,Calif.

In one illustrative embodiment, latency based routing algorithm module1467 for enabling device 100 to participate in a self-organized networkcan incorporate a simple, low overhead distance-vector protocolimplementing features seen in protocols such as the Routing InformationProtocol (RIP). Operating in accordance with RIP, a source device 100receives routing table data packets indicating the number of hopsbetween various nodes of network 300A, and determines a lowest latencyrouting path for a source to destination data transmission on the basisof which path yields the fewest number of hops. Referring to system 1000as shown in FIG. 1 a, any given node, such as device 100-4 of network300A can receive a routing table data packet including metricinformation from its neighbor peer devices 100-2, 100-5 describing thehosts (e.g., node 100-1 for device 100-2) that each neighbor, 100-2,100-5, can reach and how many hops will be required to reach the hostsfrom devices 100-2, 100-5. Host 100-4 will then insert the destinationhosts, e.g., host 100-1 into its routing table, and include peerneighboring devices (e.g., device 100-2 for destination node 100-1) asthe next node on the path to the destination, and include a totaldistance d, which will be the number of hops to the destination.Eventually, every node 100-1, 100-2, 100-4, 100-5 of the self-organizednetwork 300A will store in a memory thereof a table of all destinationsthat it can possibly reach. All nodes can periodically send routingtable data updates to their neighbors with entries for all possibledestinations and the distance. In accordance with RIP, nodes 100 can beconfigured to request updates. If a device 100 receives a routing tabledata packet message with a destination that is already in a routingtable, then a simple comparison is made and the path with the shortestdistance is entered. A timeout value for certain paths can be includedto help smooth transitions and updates for a changing topology. A device100 can send a routing table data packet including a message indicatingthat that some nodes are unreachable.

Accordingly, the routing information of the device routing tables canchange when devices 100 are added to or deleted from system 1000, orwhen a location of the one or more of devices 100 of the system 1000changes. The data collection device 100 can route data packets accordingto a particular route described within routing table information storedwithin it.

Addresses of local server 240 or remote server 410 may or may not appearon any of the routing tables of devices 100 that incorporate dynamicaccess module 1404. Where system 1000 is configured so that serveraddresses do not appear on device routing tables, packets addressed toservers 240, 410 are transmitted to a device operating in dynamicswitching mode (e.g., device 100-1, as shown in FIG. 1 a) which servesas a default gateway for packets addressed to destinations outside ofthe SO network 300A.

As indicated, the incorporation of self-routing component 1466 intodevices 100 facilitates multi-hop data packet transmissions acrossmultiple peer devices. With reference again to system 1000 of FIG. 1 aevery data collection device has access to (i.e., can receive datatransmissions to and from local server 240 and remote server 410). Indata collection systems, it is important that data collection device 100have constant access to applications and data bases of local server 240and remote server 410. For example, data collection devices 100 may makerepeated requests for price information from a price lookup table (PLU)stored in server 240 or server 410 utilizing bar code decoded data. Datacollection devices 100 may also repeatedly send credit/debit accountinformation to remote server 410 for purposes of requestingauthorization of a credit transaction. In shipping and inventoryapplications, data is repeatedly sent for archiving and tracking to aremote server 410. In retail store applications, customer numberinformation may be repeatedly sent to remote server 410 which isconfigured to respond with customer specific data such as customertargeted advertising messages.

Referring again to the system of FIG. 1 a, device 100-3 is in range ofaccess point 210 only. Accordingly, device 100-3 will operate ininfrastructure mode and be in communication with access point 210 whichalso operates in infrastructure mode. Device 100-1, in range of both anaccess point 210 and a peer device 100, operates in a dynamic switchingmode. Operating in a dynamic switching mode, device 100-1 is able tosend and receive data packets to and from access point 210 operating ininfrastructure mode and is able to send and receive data packets frompeer devices operating in ad hoc mode. Device 100-2 is in range of apeer device 100 only. For data communications between device 100-2 andserver 240, data packets can be transmitted forwardly and backwardlyalong the hop sequence 100-2, 100-1, 210, 240. Data collection devices100-4, 100-5 are also in communication with peer devices 100 only andnot access point 210 and, therefore, operate in ad hoc mode. Becausedevices 100 in accordance with self-routing component 1466 incorporateself-routing algorithms, devices 100-4, 100-5 are nevertheless incommunication with server 240, and server 410. For data communicationsbetween device 100-5 and server 240, data packets can be transmittedforwardly and backwardly along the hop sequence 100-5, 100-4, 100-2,100-1, 210, 410.

In another useful embodiment, system 1000 is devoid of a managementmodule for synchronizing infrastructure/ad hoc switching between severaldevices. The inventor discovered that by incorporating a linkingcomponent in accordance with the linking rules of Table A into each ofseveral devices and equipped each of the several devices withself-routing functionality, each device 100 remains in communicationwith each other node of system 1000 without the incorporation of amanagement module to synchronize infrastructure/ad hoc mode switching ofseveral devices.

Referring to the system diagram of FIG. 2 a, the system of FIG. 2 a issimilar to the system of FIG. 1 a except that at the time ofinitialization, device 100-2, like device 100-1, is in range of both anaccess point 210 and a peer device 100. In accordance with the linkingrules of linking component summarized in Table A, both device 100-1 anddevice 100-2 will be in a mode in which they continuously switch betweenan infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode. It will be seen that undercertain circumstances, the devices in a dynamic switching mode may notbe synchronized (e.g., device 100-1 may be in ad hoc mode at the timethat device 100-2 is in infrastructure mode or vice versa).Nevertheless, in spite of possible desynchronized conditions, alldevices 100 of system 1000 remain in communication with one another. Forexample, where a data packet transmitted from a first device 100-2 indynamic switching mode is addressed to a second device 100-1 in adynamic switching mode the data packet transmission request may becarried out with a single hop transmission along the path 100-2, 100-1provided switching of the devices is synchronized such that the ad hocoperation times of the devices overlap for sufficient time to facilitatethe packet transmission. It is also seen with reference to the systemview of FIG. 2 a that system 1000 can be configured so that a datapacket transmitted by a first device 100-1 in dynamic switching mode andaddressed to a second device 100-2 in a dynamic switching mode can berouted to second device 100-2 even where the switching of the twodevices is not sufficiently synchronized to facilitate a single hop datapacket transmission. In accordance with the invention, system 1000 canbe configured so that a packet transmitted from device 100-1 addressedto device 100-2 can be routed by default along the path 100-1, 210,100-2 where direct transmission along the path 100-1, 100-2 is notpossible due to network desynchronization and where access point 210incorporates routing functionality. In accordance with linking rules ofTable A, switching desynchronization cannot prevent data transmissionsbetween devices 100-4, 100-5 out of range of access point 210 since,according to the linking rules, devices 100-4, 100-5 in range of a peerdevice 100 but out of range of an access point 210 are caused to operatein ad hoc mode continuously and do not attempt to switch out of ad hocmode unless switching is driven in response to throughput monitoring.Accordingly, it can be seen that a highly functional and flexible systemcan be created without incorporating a high overhead synchronizationmanagement module into system 1000.

Operation of self-healing component 1464 and self-routing component 1466of dynamic access module 1406 is further described with reference to theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 d, wherein data collection system 1000includes two access points 210, 210′. Remaining components of the system1000 of FIG. 1 d are as described in connection with FIG. 1 c. Theconnectivity of each device is 100 illustrated with double arrows (thepresence of a double arrow between devices indicates that the devicesare in a connection range distance). In normal operation, data packetsaddressed to server 240 or server 410 propagate through access point 210or access point 210′. In normal operation, with all nodes functioning,devices 100-1 and 100-2 (FIG. 1 d) are in range of access point 210 andoperate in infrastructure mode. Devices 100-1, 100-2 are also in rangeof at least one of peer devices 100-4 and 100-5, but, in the specificembodiment described are not initially connected to peer devices 100-4,100-5 since, at the time of initialization, devices 100-4, 100-5 werenot in range of either of devices 100-1, 100-2. Devices 100-14 and100-15 are in range of a both an access point 210′ and a peer device 100and operate in dynamic switching mode. Remaining data collection devices100 of system are in range of a peer device only and therefore operatein ad hoc mode.

The operation of self-healing component 1464 is illustrated further whenconsidering the case of a failure of access point 210. When access point210 fails, data throughput through devices 100-1 and 100-2 (FIG. 1 d)drops. Devices 100-1 and 100-2 in accordance with self-healing component1464 can automatically monitor their respective data throughputs and mayswitch their operating modes to ad hoc mode. Notwithstanding the failureof access point device 210, data collection devices 100-1, 100-2 build anew connection to server 240 and server 410 through access point 210′.Devices 100-1 and 100-2 build a new connection to server 240 since (1)by switching to ad hoc mode in response to a throughput drop, device100-1 becomes connected to device 100-4 and device 100-5 and (2) byswitching to ad hoc mode, device 100-2 becomes connected to device100-5. Further, through operation of a self-routing algorithm module1266, multi-hop data transmissions are supported between devices 100-1and 100-2 and an access point 210′. It is seen that packets which priorto failure of access point 210 would have been transmitted along the hopsequence 100-2, 210, 240, may instead be transmitted along the hopsequence 100-2, 100-5, 100-8, 100-13, 100-14, 210′, 240 by operation ofself-healing component 1464 and self-routing component 1466 whichtogether enable device 100-2 to build a connection between device 100-2and device 100-5 upon the failure of access point 210, and to establisha multi-hop data communication path between device 100-2 and server 240.

In another illustrative embodiment, it is seen that incorporation ofdynamic access module 1406 into devices 100 of system 1000 can greatlyestablish the ease with which connectivity is established. Withreference again to system 1000 of FIG. 1 d, assume again that accesspoint 210 fails but that devices 100-13, 100-12 have not been introducedinto system 1000 (FIG. 1 d) at the time of failure of access point 210′.At the time of failure, device 100-14 in range of access point 210′ onlyat the time of initialization operates in infrastructure mode, device100-15 in range of access point 210′ and peer 100 at the time ofinitialization operates in dynamic switching mode, and device 100-16 inrange of a peer device only at the time of initialization operates in adhoc mode. It is seen that when device 100-12 is introduced into system1000 in the position shown wherein all devices 100 incorporate dynamicaccess module 1406 and operate in accordance with the linking rules ofTable A, a data communication path is established to enable data packetstransmitted by devices 100-1, 100-2 addressed to server 240 to reachserver 240 (i.e., through the hop sequence [100-1 or 100-2], 100-5,100-9, 100-10, 100-12, 100-15, 210′, 240). Further, an alternative pathto server 240 is created by introducing into system 1000 device 100-13in range of device 100-8 and device 100-14 as shown. Device 100-14 isinitialized in infrastructure mode, and, in accordance with theembodiment of dynamic access module 1406 described may not originally bein communication with device 100-13. Nevertheless, packets transmittedby device 100-13 and addressed to server 240 may be transmitted alongthe hop sequence 100-13, 100-8, 100-9, 100-10, 100-12, 100-15, 210′, 240notwithstanding a lack of a communication link between device 100-13 anddevice 100-14. Further, a communication link between device 100-13 anddevice 100-14 may be established by manually activating switching ofdevice 100-14 by adjusting the throughput threshold of device 100-14using GUI 910 as described in connection with FIG. 8 a. Specifically, ifthe throughput threshold level is adjusted to a significantly highlevel, device 100-14 in accordance with self-healing component 1464 canswitch to dynamic switching mode to establish connectivity with device100-13, and to thereby establish the possible hop sequence 100-13,100-14, 210′, 240. In addition to representing a retail store, the viewof FIG. 1 d can represent a shipping warehouse, and a patient carecenter such as a hospital.

The invention therefore is in one aspect is a method for repairing anetwork connection in a retail store data collection system having anaccess point 210 wireline connected to and being part of a wirelinenetwork 200, the wireline network including a wireline bus 215 and alocal server 240, and where the access point can buffer data packetsdestined for devices requesting a power save function, the methodincluding the step of providing dynamic access module 1406 in aplurality of data collection devices 100, and introducing (e.g., bypowering up or by physical movement) a new device 100 into the system1000 at a certain position such that the new device 100 is in connectionrange of both of first and second device nodes 100 of the system 1000,and wherein the first and second device nodes 100 are not in connectionrange of one another, wherein the second node is connected to the localserver 240, so that a network connection is established between thefirst node and the server 240 by introduction of the new device at thecertain position.

The invention in another aspect is a method for repairing a networkconnection in a shipping warehouse data collection system 1000 having anaccess point 210 wireline connected to and being part of wirelinenetwork 200, the wireline network including a wireline bus 215 and alocal server 240, and when the access point can buffer data packetsdestined for devices requesting a power save function, the methodincluding the step of providing dynamic access module 1406 in aplurality of data collection devices 100, and introducing (e.g., bypowering up or by physical movement) a new device 100 into the system1000 at a certain position such that the new device 100 is in connectionrange of both of first and second device nodes 100 of the system 1000,and wherein the first and second device nodes 100 are not in connectionrange of one another, wherein the second node is connected to the localserver 240, so that a network connection is established between thefirst node and the server 240 by introduction of the new device at thecertain position.

The invention in another aspect is a method for repairing a networkconnection in a patient care center data collection system having anaccess point 210 wireline connected to and being part of wirelinenetwork 200, the wireline network including a wireline bus 215 and alocal server 240, and where the access point can buffer data packetsdestined for devices requesting a power save function, the methodincluding the step of providing dynamic access module 1406 in aplurality of data collection devices 100, and introducing (e.g., bypowering up or by physical movement) a new device 100 into the system1000 at a certain position such that the new device 100 is in connectionrange of both of first and second device nodes 100 of the system 1000,and wherein the first and second device nodes 100 are not in connectionrange of one another, wherein the second node is connected to the localserver 240, so that a network connection is established between thefirst node and the server 240 by introduction of the new device at thecertain position.

It is seen that the invention can significantly improve data collectionprocedures at facilities incorporating data collection system. Networkdown times can be reduced as the invention enables network failures tobe quickly addressed by introducing one or more devices 100 constructedaccording to the invention into data collection systems at e.g., retailstores, shipping warehouses, and patient care centers, to repair networkconnections where network connection is lost due to power loss nodefailures, congestion node failures and other node failures. In thatdevices 100 can be portable and capable of wireless communication,network connections can be repaired rapidly without installation of anywireline infrastructure. The likelihood of repairing a networkconnection is increased as additional devices 100 are added to systems.In addition to aiding in repairs to legacy networks, the inventionenables new networks to be rapidly deployed. For example, the inventionenables a fleet of devices 100 needed on a temporary basis (e.g., as inan inventory application at a retail store) to be quickly connected to awireline network 200 to gain access to server 240 and 410 withoutaltering or servicing of the existing wireline network 200.

The invention is further illustrated with reference to the data packetdiagrams of FIGS. 5 a-5 b, 6 a-6 d. The packet diagrams of FIGS. 5 a-5b, 6 a-6 d illustrate a packet stripping and repackaging function whichmay be carried out by device 100 in accordance with a switchingcomponent of dynamic access module 1406. In general, a data packetreceived and transmitted by device 100-1, where incorporated into anIEEE 802.11 wireless communication system can include the format asshown in FIG. 5 a. The packet 1502 includes a Media Access Control (MAC)header 1504 that includes frame control field 1510. The packet 1502 alsoincludes network layer bytes 1506 and (payload) data bytes 1508. Thepacket 1502 can be transmitted in accordance with the TCP/IP suite ofprotocols. The frame control bytes 1510 include (ToDS) bit 1612 and(FromDS) bit 1614.

A structure of a control field 1510 of a data packet in accordance withthe IEEE 802.11 Standard is described with further reference to thediagram of FIG. 5 b. Bits 1606 indicate the current version of the802.11 protocol used, bits 1608, 1610 indicate the function of thecurrent frame (i.e., control, data and management), bits 1612, 1614 asare explained more fully herein below, indicate the path of the frame(i.e., from access point, to access point, or ad hoc communication), bit1616 indicates whether additional fragments of a current frame willfollow, bit 1618 indicates whether the present frame is beingretransmitted, bit 1620 indicates whether a sending device is in anactive mode or a power save mode as described earlier herein, bit 1622indicates whether an access point is sending additional frames, bit 1624indicates whether the present frame is WEP encrypted while bit 1626indicates whether it is necessary to process a received frame in aparticularized order. The operation of access point 210 in reference toits examination of power bit 1620, and encryption bit 1624 has beendescribed herein above.

For data packet transmission from an access point 210, to a datacollection device 100-1, the bits 1612, 1614 are encoded as the value01. For data packet transmissions to access point 210 from datacollection device 100-1, the bits 1612, 1614 are encoded as 10. For peerto peer data packet transmissions, the control bits 1612, 1614 areencoded as the value 00.

Referring to FIG. 6 a, the data packet 1530 is received by the datacollection device 100-1, from the access point 210, when it 100-1 isoperating in an infrastructure mode. Referring to FIG. 6 b, the datapacket 1540 is transmitted from data collection device 100-1, to theaccess point 210, when it 100-1 is operating in an infrastructure mode.The DS bits 1612, 1614 are encoded as value equal to 01 to indicate thatthe packet is being sent from the data collection device 100-1 to theaccess point 210.

Referring to FIG. 6 c, the data packet 1550 is transmitted from the datacollection device 100-1 to a peer device 100-2. The DS bits 1612, 1614are encoded as a value equal to 00 to indicate that the packet is beingtransmitted from a data collection device 100-1 to a data collectiondevice 100-2, via the IBSS.

Referring to FIG. 6 d, the data packet 1560 is transmitted from a peerdata collection device 100-2 to the data collection device 100-1. The DSbits 1612, 1614 are encoded as a value equal to 00 to indicate that thetransmission of the data packet 1560 is from a data collection device100-1 to a data collection device 100-2, via the IBSS.

When performing network switching in accordance with switching module1472, data collection device 100 may receive a data packet from peerdata collection device in the form of packet 1560 and repackage thepayload data of the packet in the form of packet 1540 in order to routethe payload data to access point 210. Also, when performing networkswitching, data collection device 100, 100-1 may receive a data packetfrom an access point in the form of packet 1530 and repackage thepayload data of the packet into the form of packet 1550 when routingthat payload data to peer device 100, 100-2. In an 802.11 radiocommunication system “media disconnect” and “media connect” notificationmessages are passed to the network (IP) layer when there is a switchingof a network. The IP layer delays processing of such notificationmessages to protect layer 3106 from spurious media connects anddisconnects. In order to reduce the processing delay resulting fromnetwork switching, the dynamic access module 1460 can be authored sothat media disconnect and media disconnect notification messages to theIP layer are suppressed. In addition, switching delays can be furtherreduced by avoiding resetting of firmware of radio transceiver 5712 whenswitching, and by storing the state of the presently associated network(infrastructure or ad hoc) prior to switching so that device 100 doesnot have to re-execute a network association protocol each time device100 switches networks. Such switching time reduction methods arediscussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0218580,published Nov. 4, 2004 and entitled, “Method To Enable SimultaneousConnections To Multiple Wireless Networks Using A Single Radio.”

In embodiments described thus far, switching component 1472 isincorporated in a device 100 having a single processor IC chip 548 and asingle radio transceiver 5712, also referred to as a network interfacecard (NIC) capable of switching between infrastructure and ad hoc modes(i.e., a single 802.11 radio transceiver). A real time operating systemcan be loaded into processor IC chip 540 and, in accordance withswitching component; the processor IC chip 548 can be configured so thatprocessing time is divided between managing communication ininfrastructure mode and managing communication in an ad hoc mode.

In a variation of the invention, device 100 can incorporate a secondradio transceiver of the same protocol Standard as a first radiotransceiver. The second radio transceiver may be a second radiotransceiver 5712. In accordance with the IEEE 802.11 Standard, secondradio transceiver 5712 is capable of switching between infrastructureand ad hoc communication modes. One of the radio transceivers can bededicated for conducting infrastructure communications and the secondradio transceiver can be dedicated for conducting ad hoc datacommunications. In such an embodiment, device 100 in accordance withswitching component 1472, need not switch a communication mode of anindividual NIC, but rather, in accordance with switching component 1472,need only strip received data packets, buffer payload data and repackagethe payload data into a suitable form for transmission by the device'ssecond NIC.

Further aspects of the invention are described with reference to FIG. 1c showing a data collection system 1000 partially integrated in a retailstore. System 1000 as shown in FIG. 1 c includes a plurality of handheld data collection devices 100H and a plurality of mounted datacollection devices. The mounted data collection devices 100 includeretail transaction aiding credit/debit card reading devices 100R locatedat front end cashier stations 260 and price verifiers 100V deployedthroughout the store to facilitate price lookups by customers. Datacollection devices 100H can have the form described further withreference to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, and data collection devices 100R, 100Vcan have the form described with further reference to FIGS. 9 a, 9 b and9 c. Several prices verifiers 100V can be mounted on or proximate tostore shelves 262 (i.e., on posts) while other mobile price verifiers100P can be mounted on shopping carts 264. The mounted portable datacollection devices 100R, 100V can be replaceably mounted; that is, theycan be demounted from their current mounting position and remounted inanother mounting position within the retail store or other facility. Theplurality of hand held portable devices 100H can be carried by agents ofa store or by agents of an inventory-conducting entity. All of thedevices 100 in the system described can be controlled to make repeateddata transmissions to local store server 240 or to one of remote servers410, which in certain embodiments may be server centers including aplurality of servers. For example, debit/credit card reading datacollection devices 100R may make repeated requests to send transactiondata including account number data to credit/debit authorizing network414. Credit/debit card reading devices 100R and price verifiers 100V mayalso send customer ID information to customer data base server 410C torequest profiling information respecting a particular customer. Handheld portable data collection devices 100H may make repeated requestsfor price information from a price lookup table (PLU) stored in storeserver 240. Hand held portable data collection devices 100H may alsomake item ordering requests to retailer supplier server 410S. Priceverifiers 100V may make repeated requests to store server 240 for priceinformation respecting items that are subject to bar code or RFID tagreading by a customer. Item ordering data may also be submitted from aprice verifier 100V to supplier server 410S along with credit/debit cardamount information as read by an optional card reader 1348 of priceverifier 100V. It will be seen that the need for data collection devices100 to remain connected to a store server 240 and remote servers, e.g.,servers 240, 410 is substantial. Each of the data collection devices100H, 100R, 100V is a data collection device 100 as described hereinwhich can incorporate the components of FIG. 1 b.

According to the invention, several additional devices that areconfigured to include a dynamic access module 1406 can be added tosystem 1000 with no modification of the components of a legacy localinfrastructure network 200. There is no need, for example, to boost theradio transmission range of access point 210, since the communicationrange of a particular device 100 can be increased by disposing devices100 intermediate of the device and the access point 210. Legacy accesspoints 210 may be operated continuously in infrastructure mode so thataccess point 210 provides continuous access to the wireline network towhich it is connected. With the present invention devices 100 can bedeployed in system 1000 without disrupting the continuous operation ofaccess point 210 in infrastructure mode.

New devices 100H, 100R, 100V that are added to system 1000 haveconnectivity to servers 240, 410 even where out of range of access point210 provided that devices 100 of the system define a self organizednetwork with an available hopping sequence communication path betweenthe added device 100 and the access point 210 of the legacyinfrastructure network.

In a further aspect, dynamic access communication protocol module 1406may incorporate a packet content discriminator module 1480. Packetcontent discriminator module 1480 can examine the content of a datapacket buffered for transmission by device 100. Packet contentdiscriminator module 1480 may also discriminate content of a data packetby receipt of a content identifier from control circuit 552, withoutexamination of packet content wherein control circuit 552 has priorknowledge of data content. For example, when control circuit 552executes a data collection routine to transmit decoded bar code data, itis known that the content of the packet is bar code data withoutexamination of a data packet.

Referring to the table of FIG. 13 correlating data packet content withself routing algorithm modules 1467, 1468, 1469, data collection device100 may activate one out a plurality of self-routing algorithm modules1467, 1468, 1469 based upon the particular type of data beingtransmitted by device 100 over a radio transceiver, e.g., transceiver2712. In accordance with dynamic access module 1406 in another aspect,dynamic access module 1406 may include a routing algorithm selectioncomponent 1490 which enables data collection device 100 to activate aparticular one routing algorithm module 1467, 1468, 1469 forestablishing a hop sequence based on the content of the data packetbeing transmitted. Data collection device 100 may utilize the outputfrom packet content discriminator 1480 in order to activate a select oneof routing algorithms modules 1467, 1468, 1469. Referring to the tableof FIG. 13, first and second embodiments are shown and described.

Referring to embodiment 1, data collection device 100 discriminateswhether the data packet being transmitted is streaming video data, stillimage data, decoded bar code data, decoded RFID data, credit cardinformation data or VOIP data. If device 100 in accordance with packetcontent discriminator module 1480 determines that the data packet to betransmitted contains streaming video data, latency based routingalgorithm module 1467 is activated. If device 100 in accordance withpacket content discriminator module 1480 determines that the data packetto be transmitted is still image data (i.e., a frame of image data) datacollection device 100 activates power aware routing algorithm module1468. If device 100 in accordance with packet content discriminatormodule 1480 determines that the data packet to be transmitted containsdecoded bar code data, device 100 activates bit error rate based routingalgorithm module 1469. If device 100 in accordance with packet contentdiscriminator module 1480 determines that the data packet to betransmitted contains decoded RFID data, device 100 activates power awarerouting algorithm module 1468. If device 100 in accordance with packetcontent discriminator module 1480 determines that the data packet to betransmitted contains credit card account information, device 100activates bit error rate routing algorithm module 1469. If device 100 inaccordance with packet content discriminator module 1480 determines thatthe data packet to be transmitted contains VOIP data, device 100activates latency routing algorithm module 1467.

Referring to embodiment 2, data collection device 100 discriminateswhether the data packet being transmitted is streaming video data, stillimage data, decoded bar code data, decoded RFID data, credit cardinformation data or VOIP data. If device 100 in accordance with packetcontent discriminator module 1480 determines that the data packet to betransmitted contains streaming video data, latency based routingalgorithm module 1467 is activated. If device 100 in accordance withpacket content discriminator module 1480 determines that the data packetto be transmitted is still image data (i.e., a frame of image data) datacollection device 100 activates bit error rate routing algorithm module1468. If device 100 in accordance with packet content discriminatormodule 1480 determines that the data packet to be transmitted containsdecoded bar code data, device 100 activates power aware based routingalgorithm module 1468. If device 100 in accordance with packet contentdiscriminator module 1480 determines that the data packet to betransmitted contains decoded RFID data, device 100 activates power awarerouting algorithm module 1468. If device 100 in accordance with packetcontent discriminator module 1480 determines that the data packet to betransmitted contains credit card account information, device 100activates power aware routing algorithm module 1468. If device 100 inaccordance with packet content discriminator module 1480 determines thatthe data packet to be transmitted contains VOIP data, device 100activates latency routing algorithm module 1467.

Packet content discriminator component 1490 which can examine payloaddata can be regarded as being inserted into application layer 3116 (FIG.3 b), while self-routing component 1466 can be regarded as beinginserted in network layer 3106 (FIG. 3 b). Accordingly, routingalgorithm selection component 1490 can include providing commands innetwork layer 3106 based on processing of data within application layer3116.

With reference to FIG. 1 a, devices 100 may operate with ESS (ExtendedService Set) if network 200 has more than one access point, e.g., accesspoint 210′. Operating in accordance with ESS, system 1000 may passcommunication between device 100-1 and access point 210 to device 100,100-1 and another access point 210′ if device 100, 100-1 passes out ofrange from access point 210′ and into communication range of accesspoint 210′.

An electrical block diagram of a data collection device 100, accordingto the invention is shown in FIG. 1 b. Reader 100 includes a solid stateimage sensor array 182A, incorporated on an image sensor integratedcircuit chip 1082A shown in FIG. 1 d as a CMOS image sensor integratedcircuit (IC) chip. In an important aspect, as will be described herein,image sensor array 182A includes a plurality of pixels and wavelengthsensitive color filter elements associated with a color sensitive subsetof the pixels, wherein the remaining pixels external to the colorsensitive subset of pixels are devoid of associated wavelength selectivefilter elements. Because image sensor array 182A includes bothmonochrome pixels and color sensitive pixels, image sensor array 182Amay be termed a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array. Imagesensor array 182A incorporated in device 100 can take on a variety offorms. For example, as described in connection with FIGS. 11 a-11 b, animage sensor array or device 100 can be provided by incorporating anIT4XXX/IT5XXX imaging module of the type available from Hand HeldProducts, Inc., Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. into device 100. Device 100further includes a processor IC chip 548 and a control circuit 552.Control circuit 552 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 b is shown as beingprovided by a central processing unit (CPU) of processor IC chip 548. Inother embodiments, control circuit 552 may be provided by e.g., aprogrammable logic function execution device such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). Imaging lens 212 focuses images onto an active surfaceof image sensor array 182A together with image sensor array 182A formsan imaging assembly 200. Control circuit 552 executes picture taking andindicia decoding algorithms in accordance with instructions stored inprogram memory EPROM 562 which together with RAM 560 and Flash memory564 forms a reader memory 566. Reader memory 566 is in communicationwith processor IC chip 548 via system bus 570. Main processor IC chip548 may be a multifunctional IC chip such as an XSCALE PXA25x processorIC chip including central processing unit (CPU) 552 or an OMAP processorIC chip such as an OMAP 1710 processor IC chip with core ARM 926 of thetype available from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. Device 100 further includes afield programmable gate array (FPGA) 580. Operating under the control ofcontrol circuit 552, FPGA 580 receives digital image data from imagesensor IC chip 1082A and transfers that image data into RAM 560 so thatthe image data can be further processed (e.g., by the decoding of a barcode symbol). Processor IC chip 548 can include an integrated framegrabber. For example, processor IC chip 548 can be an XSCALE PXA27Xprocessor IC chip with “Quick Capture Camera Interface” available fromINTEL. Where processor IC chip 548 includes an integrated frame grabber,the integrated frame grabber may provide the frame acquisitionfunctionality of FPGA 580. By incorporation of appropriate software,such as the PVPLATFORM wireless multimedia software platform availablefrom PACKETVIDEO, device 100 can be configured to transmit streamingvideo data packets over radio frequency communication interface block5711, as is described further herein below. Device 100 further includesan illumination assembly 104 and a manual trigger 216. Image sensor ICchip 1082A in the embodiment of FIG. 1 b includes an on-chipcontrol/timing circuit 1092, an on-chip gain circuit 1084, an on-chipanalog-to-digital converter 1086 and an on-chip line driver 1090. Animage sensor array which is incorporated into device 100 may take on avariety of forms. Variations of image sensor arrays which may beincorporated in device 100 are described in detail in Provisional PatentApplication Nos. 60/687,606, filed Jun. 3, 2005, 60/690,268, filed Jun.14, 2005, 60/692,890, filed Jun. 22, 2005, and 60/694,371, filed Jun.27, 2005, all of which are entitled Digital Picture Taking OpticalReader Having Hybrid Monochrome And Color Image Sensor, and all of whichare incorporated herein by reference. In the above provisional patentapplications, data collection devices having numerous types of imagesensor arrays; e.g., hybrid monochrome and color (uniform andnon-uniform pixel size), monochrome, color, hybrid monochrome and lightpolarizing) together with associated processing methods are shown anddescribed. All device specific components and processing featuresdescribed in the above referenced provisional applications can beincorporated into device 100. All system related components andprocessing features described in the above referenced provisionalapplications can be incorporated into system 1000. Data collectiondevice 100 may be configured to process image data to discriminatebetween decodable symbols and handwritten characters as is described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/958,779 filed Oct. 5, 2004 andincorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by referenceare U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/712,037 filed Aug. 26,2005 and 60/725,001 filed Oct. 7, 2005. Device 100 can incorporate animage sensor IC chip (modified or off-the-shelf, color or monochrome)provided by e.g., an MT9V022 or MT9M413 image sensor IC chip availablefrom Micron, Inc. or a KAC-0311 image sensor IC chip by Kodak, Inc.

In a further aspect, device 100 includes a radio frequency (RF)communication interface block 5711. Radio frequency communicationinterface block 5711 may include one or more radio transceivers.Referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 b, radio frequencycommunication interface block 5711 may include one or more of an 802.11radio transceiver 5712, a Bluetooth radio transceiver 5714, a cellularradio transceiver 5716, or a WIMAX (802.16) radio transceiver 5718.Radio frequency communication interface 5711 facilitates wirelesscommunication of data between device 100 and a spaced apart device 150of the referenced applications. I/O communication interface 572 includesone or more serial or parallel hard-wired communication interfacesfacilitating communication with a spaced apart device 150 as will bedescribed further in connection with FIG. 10. I/O communicationinterface 572 may include one or more of an Ethernet communicationinterface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, or an RS-232communication interface. Data collection device 100 may further includea keyboard 508 for entering data, a pointer mover 512 for moving apointer of a graphical user interface (GUI) and a trigger 216 forinitiating bar code reading and/or picture taking. Data collectiondevice 100 may also include a display 504, such as a monochrome or colorLED display and a touch screen 504T overlaid over display 504. Display504 may be coupled to display controller for displaying color imagedata. All of the components of FIG. 1 b can be encapsulated andsupported by a portable hand held housing 101, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8 b or a replaceably mountable portable housing 102 as shown inFIGS. 8 a-9 a. The components shown in FIG. 1 b can be powered by amulti-voltage power system 1095 that is coupled redundantly to multiplepower sources, including serial power source (USB) 1097, transformerbased AC/DC power supply 1098 that is adapted to receive AC wall outletpower and rechargeable battery 1099. Power system 1096 can provide powerto circuit boards 1077 as shown in FIG. 8 b.

In another aspect, device 100 includes an RFID reader unit 1250. RFIDreader unit 1250 includes an RF oscillation and receiver circuit 1252and a data decode processing circuit 1254. RFID reader unit 1250 may beconfigured to read RF encoded data from a passive RFID tag, such as tag1260, which may be disposed on article 1202. Where RFID reader unit 1250is configured to read RF encoded data from a passive RFID tag 1260, RFoscillation and receiver circuit 1252 transmits a carrier signal fromantenna 1255 to passive tag 1260. Passive RFID tag 1260 converts thecarrier energy to voltage form and a transponder 1266 of tag 1260 isactuated to transmit a radio signal representing the encoded tag data.RF oscillator and receiver circuit 1252, in turn, receives the radiosignal from the tag and converts the data into a processable digitalformat. Data decode processing circuit 1254, typically including a lowcost microcontroller IC chip, decodes the received radio signalinformation received by RF oscillator and receiver circuit 1252 todecode the encoded identification data originally encoded into RFID tag1260.

An expanded view of RFID label 1260 is shown in FIG. 12 a. RFID label1260 includes a tag 1262 comprising an antenna 1264, a transponder 1266,and storage circuit 1268 for storing encoded identification data. Label1260 can be affixed to articles such as articles of parcel or productsheld in retail store. Data from storage circuit 1268 is read from tag1262 when tag 1262 is activated by RFID reader unit 1255. Further,reader unit 1250 may write data to tag 1262. Data written to tag 1262 byreader module 1250 may be, e.g., new identification data. Tag 1260 maybe incorporated in physical structures other article labels. As shown inFIG. 12 c, tag 1262 may be incorporated on an identification card 1270,such as a driver license or an employee identification card.Identification card 1270 may carry a photograph 1271 of an employee. Onespecific type of employee identification card into which tag may beincorporated is a security badge. Tag 1262 may also be incorporated intoa financial transaction card 1272 having a mag stripe 1273 as shown inFIG. 12 b, such as a credit card, a debit card, or an electronicbenefits card. Card 1272 can also carry magnetic stripe 1263.

RFID reader unit 1250 may operate in a selective activation mode or in acontinuous read operating mode. In a selective activation mode, RFIDreader unit 1250 broadcasts radio signals in an attempt to activate atag or tags in its vicinity in response to an RFID trigger signal beingreceived. In a continuous read mode, RFID reader unit 1250 continuouslybroadcasts radio signals in an attempt to actuate a tag or tags inproximity with unit automatically, without module 1250 receiving atrigger signal. In a selective activation mode, RFID reader unit 1250selectively broadcasts radio signals in an attempt to activate a tag ortags in its vicinity selectively and automatically in response to areceipt by control circuit 1010 of an RFID trigger signal. Device 100may be configured so that control circuit 552 receives a trigger signalunder numerous conditions, such as: (1) an RFID trigger button such asbutton 1050 is actuated; (2) an RFID trigger instruction is receivedfrom a spaced apart device such as remote processor 1850, or local hostprocessor 1350; and (3) control circuit 552 determines that apredetermined condition has been satisfied.

Still further, device 100 may include a card reader unit 1350 such ascredit and debit card reader unit. Card reader unit 1350 includes asignal detection circuit 1352 and a data decode circuit 1354. Signaldetection circuit 1352 receives an electrical signal from a card anddata decode circuit 1354 decodes data encoded in the signal. When datadecode circuit 1354 decodes a signal, the decode out information istransmitted to control circuit 1010 for further processing. Card readerunit 1350 forms part of a card reader 1348 which, in addition toincluding card reader unit 1350, includes a portion of housing 102 asshown in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 a and 8 b. Card reader 1348 includescard receiving slot 1349 defined by housing 105. Card reader unit 1350is configured to read more than one type of card. Device 100, with useof card reader unit 1350, may read e.g., credit cards, customer loyaltycards, electronic benefits cards and identification cards such asemployee identification cards and driver license cards. Card reader unit1350 can be selected to be of a type that reads card information encodedin more than one data format. Where card reader unit 1350 is a PanasonicZU-9A36CF4 Integrated Smart Reader, card reader unit 1350 reads any oneof magnetic stripe data, smart card or Integrated circuit card (IC card)data, and RF transmitted data. Where card reader unit 1350 reads RFtransmitted identification data via RFID reading capability thereof,card reader 1348 may read RF transmitted identification data from a cardwhen a card is inserted into slot, or else card reader unit 1350 mayread RF transmitted identification data from a card or another object(e.g., an RFID “key fob”) when the card or object is merely brought intoproximity with card reader 1348 without being inserted into slot 1349.Accordingly, where card reader unit 1350 is a Panasonic ZU-9A36CF4Integrated Smart Reader, device 100 has dual RFID reader modules;namely, RFID reader module 1250 and the RFID reader module incorporatedin card reader unit 1350.

In another aspect data collection device 100 as shown in FIG. 1 bincludes Voice Over IP (VOIP) processing unit 1450. Voice processingunit 1450 includes VOIP dual coder/decoder (CODEC) 1444, microphone1446, and speaker 1448. VOIP CODEC 1444 receives an analog voice outputsignal from microphone 1446 and processes the output signal to produce adigital output. VOIP CODEC 1444 further processes digital voice datainto analog form for output to speaker 1448. Voice data can be furtherprocessed by appropriately configured digital signal processing (DSP)circuitry of processor IC chip 548. In one example, VOIP dual CODEC 1444is provided by a TLV320AIC22C DUAL CODEC, available from TexasInstruments, and is incorporated in association with a processor IC chip548 provided by an OMAP series processor with TMS320C55X DSP alsoavailable from Texas Instruments.

As indicated herein, the components of device 100 shown and described inFIG. 1 b can be incorporated into a variety of different housings. Asindicated by the embodiment of FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, the components of FIG.1 b can be incorporated into a hand held housing 101 as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8 b which is shaped to be held in a human hand. Data collectiondevice 100 of FIGS. 8 a and 8 b is in the form factor of a hand heldportable data terminal. Data collection device 100 as shown in FIGS. 8 aand 8 b includes a keyboard 508 a display 504 having an associated touchscreen overlay 504T, a card reader 1348 and an imaging module 360 whichincludes the components of imaging assembly 200 as described herein;namely image sensor array 182A incorporated on an image sensor IC chip1082A. Imaging module 360 has an associated imaging axis, a_(i). Asindicated by the side view of FIG. 8 b, the components of the blockdiagram of FIG. 1 b may be supported within housing 101 on a pluralityof circuit boards 1077. Imaging module 360 may include an image sensorarray having color sensitive pixels as described in Provisional PatentApplication Nos. 60/687,606, filed Jun. 3, 2005, 60/690,268, filed Jun.14, 2005, 60/692,890, filed Jun. 22, 2005, and 60/694,371, filed Jun.27, 2005, all of which are entitled Digital Picture Taking OpticalReader Having Hybrid Monochrome And Color Image Sensor, and all of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 a-9 c data collection device 100 is in theform of a transaction terminal which may be configured as a retailpurchase transaction terminal or as a price verifier. Housing 102 of thetransaction terminal shown in FIGS. 9 a-9 c is configured to be portableso that it can be moved from location to location and is furtherconfigured to be replaceably mounted on a fixed structure such as afixed structure of a cashier station or a fixed structure of the retailstore floor (e.g., a shelf, a column 264). Referring to bottom view ofFIG. 9 c, the housing 102 data collection device 100 has formations 268facilitating the replaceable mounting of data collection device 100 on afixed structure. Data collection device 100 includes a display 504having an associated touch screen 504T, a card reader 1348, and animaging module 360 having an imaging axis, a_(i). Referring to furtherdetails of data collection device 100, data collection device 100further includes a luminous shroud 362. When light from illuminationblock 104 strikes luminous shroud 362, the shroud glows to attractattention to the location of imaging assembly. In certain operatingmodes as indicated in FIG. 10 c, data collection device 100 inaccordance with any of FIGS. 8 a-9 c, displays on display 504 a PINentry screen prompting a customer to enter PIN information into touchscreen 504T. In other operating modes, as indicated in FIG. 10 d, datacollection device 100 displays on display 504 a signature prompt screenprompting a customer to enter signature information into the device withuse of a stylus 505.

Referring to FIGS. 11 a-11 c construction detail of imaging module 360are shown. Imaging module 360 may be an IT 4XXX imaging module of thetype sold by Hand Held Products, Inc. of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. An IT4XXXX imaging module may be sold in association with a decode circuitwhich processes image signals generated by module 360 and decodes thesignals to generate decoded out message data, such as decoded out barcode message data from numerous symbologies such as PDF417, MicroPDF417,MaxiCode, Data Matrix, QR Code, Aztec, Aztec Mesa, Code 49, UCCComposite, Snowflake, Dataglyphs, Code 39, Code 128, Codabar, UPC, EAN,Interleaved 2 of 5, RSS, Code 93, Codablock, BC 412, Postnet (US),Planet Code, BPO 4 State, Canadian 4 State, Japanese Post, Kix (DutchPost) and OCR-A, OCR-B. Imaging module 360 includes a first circuitboard 6314A carrying image sensor IC chip 1082 and aiming LEDs 6318while a second circuit board 6314B carries illumination LEDs 6316. Imagesensor array 182 in the embodiment of FIG. 11 b can be a two dimensionalmonochrome image sensor array. The circuit boards are sandwiched aboutsupport 6380 which has a retainer 6382. Retainer 6382 receives a lensbarrel 6340 which holds imaging lens 212. Conductive support posts 6384support the structure and provide electrical communication between thecircuit boards 6382. An optical plate 6326 is fitted over circuit board6314B after circuit board 6314B is mounted onto support 6380. Opticalplate 6326 carries aiming lenses 6325 which image aiming slits 6343 ontoa substrate, s, which may carry a bar code symbol. Optical plate 6326may also carry diffusers which diffuse light from illumination LEDs6316. Referring to the view of FIG. 11 c, illumination LEDs 6316 incombination with diffusers may project an illumination pattern 6388substantially corresponding to a field of view 6390 of imaging assembly200, while the aiming system including aiming LEDs 6318 slits 6343 andaiming lenses 6325 project an aiming pattern 6392 comprising a thinhorizontal line.

Referring to FIGS. 10 a and 10 b, various installation configurationsfor the data collection device of FIGS. 8 a-9 c are shown. In the viewof FIG. 10 a, data collection device 100 is installed as a retailpurchase transaction terminal at a point of sale cashier station 260. Inthe setup of FIG. 10 a, data collection device 100 is configured as aretail purchase transaction terminal and is utilized to aid andfacilitate retail transactions at a point of sale. A customer may entera credit card or a debit card into card reader 1348 and retail purchasetransaction terminal 100R may transmit the credit card information tocredit/debit authorization network 414. Referring to the view of FIGS. 1c and 1 d, data collection devices 100 configured in accordance with theview of FIG. 10 a are designated with the reference numeral 100R.

In the view of FIG. 10 b, data collection device 100 is configured as aprice verifier to aid customers in checking prices of products locatedon a store floor 258. Data collection device 100 may be mounted on ashelf 262 as depicted in the view of FIGS. 1 c and 1 d or on a column264 as shown in FIG. 10 b or other fixed structure of the retail store.Data collection device 100 may decode bar code data from bar codes onstore products and send decoded out bar code messages to store server240 for lookup of price information which is sent back from server 240to terminal 100 for display on display 504. Referring to the view ofFIG. 1 c and 1 d, data collection devices 100 configured in accordancewith the view of FIG. 10 b are designated with the numeral 100V.

There is described a data collection device that can incorporate anencoded information reading unit than can operate within a systemincluding an access point that is wireline connected to a server. Theencoded information reading unit can include at least one of a bar codereading unit, an RFID tag reading unit and a credit/debit card readingunit. Further incorporated in the data collection device can be dynamicaccess module. The dynamic access communication module enables the datacollection device to participate in a self organized network thatsupports multi-hop data packet transmissions between data collectiondevices and which further enables the device to transmit data receivedfrom a peer device to the system access point.

A sampling of systems and apparatuses described herein is as follows:

There is provided: (A) A data collection system comprising: first andsecond portable data collection devices, each data collection devicehaving an encoded information reader unit selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code decode unit, an RFID reader unit and acredit/debit card reading unit; an access point, said access point beingadapted for wireline connection to a local wireline bus and furtherbeing configured to examine data packets received thereby to determinewhether a transmitting station has requested a power save function, andif said power save function is selected, buffering data packets destinedfor said requesting transmitting station, wherein said first portabledata collection device is configured to operate in an operating mode inwhich said first portable data collection device receives a data packetdata containing payload data from said second portable data collectiondevice and transmits said payload data to said access point.

There is also provided the data collection system of (A), wherein saidfirst portable data collection device includes a hand held bar codereading device and said second portable data collection device includesa credit card reading unit.

There is also provided the data collection system of (A), wherein eachof said first and second data collection devices are configured tobroadcast routing table data.

In addition, there is provided (B) a portable bar code reading devicefor incorporation in a data collection system having an access point andat least one peer data collection device, said data collection devicecomprising: an imaging assembly including a two dimensional solid stateimage sensor array and a lens focusing an image onto said solid stateimage sensor array; a radio transceiver for wireless transmission ofdata packets; a housing, wherein said identification decode unit andsaid radio transceiver unit are supported within said housing, whereinsaid housing is one of a hand held housing and a re-mountable housing;and a dynamic access module enabling said data collection device to (i)receive data packets from said access point and route payload data ofsaid data packets to said peer device, and (ii) transmit at least one ofrouting table data and a route request (RREQ) data packet to said atleast one peer data collection device.

There is also provided the data collection device of (B), wherein saiddata collection device further includes a packet content discriminator.

In addition, there is provided (C) a data collection system comprising:first and second, and third data collection devices, D1, D2, and D3,each data collection device having an identification decode unitselected from the group consisting of a bar code decode unit, an RFIDreader unit and a credit/debit card reading unit; and an access point,AP, said access point being wireline connected to a local server andfurther being configured to broadcast a network identifier, and whereinsaid access point is further configured to coordinate the wirelesssending of Clear to Send (CTS) messages to various devices incommunication with said access point in such manner that collisionsresulting from two devices attempting to send data packets to saidaccess point at a common time are avoided, wherein said data collectionsystem is configured to support a transmission of a data packet alongthe hop sequence D1-D2-D3-AP, whereby said first data collection devicecan be out of range of said access point, yet in communication with saidaccess point.

There is also provided the data collection system of (C), wherein saidfirst data collection device includes a hand held bar code readingdevice and said second data collection device includes a credit cardreading unit, and wherein said third data collection device includes anRFID reading unit.

There is also provided the data collection system of (C), wherein eachof said first and second, and third data collection devices areconfigured to broadcast routing table data enabling peer devices toupdate their respective routing tables, each routing table including aplurality of network addresses.

In addition, there is provided (D), a data collection device forincorporation in a data collection system having an access pointwireline connected to a local server and at least one peer datacollection device, said data collection device comprising: an encodedinformation reading unit selected from the group consisting of a barcode decode unit, an RFID reader unit, and a credit/debit card reader; aradio transceiver; a portable housing, wherein said encoded informationreader unit and said radio transceiver unit are supported by saidportable housing; a dynamic access circuit incorporated in said datacollection device, said dynamic access circuit enabling said datacollection device to operate in accordance with a set of linking ruleswhen introduced to said data collection system, said set of linkingrules including the rules of: (a) detecting whether said data collectiondevice is in range of said access point; (b) detecting whether said datacollection device is in range of said at least one peer device; (c)operating said data collection device in an infrastructure mode if saiddata collection device is in range of said access point only and not inrange of any peer device; (d) operating said data collection device inad hoc mode if said data collection device is in range of said accesspoint only and not in range of any peer device; and (e) operating saiddata collection device in dynamic switching mode to dynamically switchbetween an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode if said datacollection device determines that said data collection device is inrange of both said access point and said at least one peer device.

There is also provided the data collection device of (D), wherein saiddata collection device is configured to operate in a mode in which saiddata collection device wirelessly broadcasts a routing table datapacket.

There is also provided the data collection device of (D), wherein saiddata collection device, when operating in said dynamic switching modeswitches between said infrastructure and ad hoc modes at fixed timeintervals.

In addition, there is provided (E), a portable data collection devicefor incorporation in a data collection system having an access pointwireline connected to a local server and at least one peer datacollection device, said data collection device comprising: an encodedinformation reading unit selected from the group consisting of a barcode decode unit, an RFID tag reader unit, and a credit/debit cardreader unit; a radio transceiver; a portable housing, wherein saidencoded information reader unit and said radio transceiver unit aresupported by said portable housing; wherein said data collection deviceis configured to operate in a present communication operating mode, thecommunication operating mode selected from the candidate groupconsisting of: (a) an infrastructure mode; (b) an ad hoc mode; and (c) adynamic switching mode in which said data collection device dynamicallyswitches between an infrastructure and ad hoc communication mode; and adynamic access module incorporated into said data collection device,said dynamic access module having a self healing component enabling saiddata collection device to (i) monitor data throughput of said device;and (ii) change a present mode of said data collection device from saidpresent communication operating mode to another of said candidate groupof communication operating modes in response to said throughputmonitoring.

There is also provided the data collection device of (E), wherein saiddata collection device is configured to operate in a mode in which saiddata collection device broadcasts a routing table data packet.

There is also provided the data collection device of (E), wherein saiddata collection device, when operating in said dynamic switching modeswitches between said infrastructure and ad hoc modes at fixed timeintervals.

In addition, there is provided (F), a data collection device forincorporation in a data collection system having an access pointwireline connected to a local server and at least one peer datacollection device, said data collection device comprising: an encodedinformation reading unit selected from the group consisting of a barcode decode unit, an RFID reader unit, and a credit/debit card readerunit; a radio transceiver; a portable housing, wherein said encodedinformation reader unit and said radio transceiver unit are supported bysaid portable housing; and a dynamic access circuit incorporated in saiddata collection device, said dynamic access circuit enabling said datacollection device to operate in accordance with a set of linking ruleswhen introduced to said data collection system, said set of linkingrules including the rules of: (a) detecting whether said data collectiondevice is in range of said access point; (b) detecting whether said datacollection device is in range of said at least one peer device; (c)operating said data collection device in an infrastructure mode if saiddata collection device is in range of said access point only and not inrange of any peer device; (d) operating said data collection device inad hoc mode if said data collection device is in range of said accesspoint only and not in range of any peer device; and (e) operating saiddata collection device in dynamic switching mode to dynamically switchbetween said infrastructure mode and said ad hoc mode if said datacollection device determines that said data collection device is inrange of both said access point and said at least one peer device, saiddynamic access circuit having a self-healing component; wherein saiddata collection device is configured to operate in a presentcommunication operating mode, the present communication operating modeselected from the candidate group consisting of: (1) said infrastructuremode; (2) said ad hoc mode; and (3) said dynamic switching mode in whichsaid data collection device dynamically switches between aninfrastructure and ad hoc communication mode; said self healingcomponent enabling said data collection device to (i) monitor datathroughput of said device; and (ii) change a present mode of said datacollection device from said present communication operating mode toanother of said candidate communication operating modes in response tosaid throughput monitoring.

There is also provided the data collection device of (F), when said datacollection device operates in a mode in which said data collectiondevice sends a power save request, in a data packet to said accesspoint.

In addition, there is provided (G), a data collection device forincorporation in a data collection system having an access point adaptedfor wireline connection to a wireline bus and at least one peer datacollection device, said data collection device comprising: an encodedinformation reading unit selected from the group consisting of a barcode decode unit, an RFID reader unit, and a credit/debit card readerunit; a radio transceiver; a housing, wherein said identification decodeunit and said radio transceiver unit are supported by said housing,wherein said housing is one of a hand held housing and a re-mountablehousing; and a dynamic access module enabling said data collectiondevice to (i) determine whether said data collection device is in rangesaid access point, and (ii) determine whether said data collectiondevice is in range of said peer data collection device, said dynamicaccess module further enabling said data collection device to receivedata packets from said access point and route payload data of said datapackets to said peer device if said data collection device determinesthat it is in range of both of said access point and said peer device.

In addition, there is provided (H), a data collection device forincorporation in a data collection system having an access point adaptedfor wireline connection to a local wireline network and at least onepeer data collection device, said data collection device comprising: anencoded information reading unit selected from the group consisting of abar code decode unit, an RFID reader unit, and a credit/debit cardreader unit; a radio transceiver; a housing, wherein said identificationdecode unit and said radio transceiver unit are supported within saidhousing, wherein said housing is one of a hand held housing and are-mountable housing; and a microphone; a Voice Over-Internet Protocol(VOIP) encoder/decoder receiving and processing an analog signal outputof said microphone, said data collection device being configured togenerate VOIP data packets by process a voice analog signal output fromsaid microphone; a dynamic access module enabling said data collectiondevice to (i) receive data packets from said access point and routepayload data of said data packets to said peer device, and (ii) transmitat least one of a routing table data packet and a route request (RREQ)data packet to said at least one peer data collection device.

There is also provided the data collection device of (H), when said datacollection device further includes a packet content discriminator.

In addition, there is provided (I), a data collection system comprising:first, second, and third portable data collection devices, D1, D2, andD3, each portable data collection device being separately housed andhaving an encoded information reader unit selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reader unit, an RFID reader unit and acredit/debit card reading unit, said each portable data collectiondevice being capable of operation in (a) infrastructure mode; (b) ad hocmode and (c) dynamic switching mode in which a data collection devicedynamically switches between infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode; anaccess point, AP, said access point being adapted for wirelineconnection to a local server, wherein said data collection system isconfigured to support a transmission of a data packets along the hopsequence D1-D2-D3-AP in such manner that when packet data is transmittedfrom D1 to D2 in ad hoc mode, said third data collection device, D3operates in dynamic switching mode.

In addition, there is provided (J), a data collection system comprising:first, second, and third portable data collection devices, D1, D2, andD3, each portable data collection device being separately housed andhaving an encoded information reader unit selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reader unit, an REID reader unit and acredit/debit card reading unit, and each portable data collection devicebeing capable of operation in (a) infrastructure mode; (b) ad hoc modeand (c) dynamic switching mode in which a data collection devicedynamically switches between infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode; anaccess point, AP, said access point being adapted for wirelineconnection to wireline bus; wherein said data collection system isconfigured to support a transmission of a data packets along the hopsequence D1-D2-D3-AP in such manner that when packet data is transmittedfrom said third portable data collection device, D3 to said accesspoint, AP, said first and second data collection devices operate in adhoc mode.

In addition, there is provided (K), a data collection device forincorporation in a data collection system having an access pointwireline connected to a local server and at least one peer datacollection device, said data collection device comprising: an imagingassembly including a two dimensional solid state image sensor array anda lens focusing an image onto said solid state image sensor array; aradio transceiver; a portable housing, wherein said encoded informationreader unit and said radio transceiver unit are supported by saidportable housing; a manual trigger, wherein said data collection devicein response to said trigger being actuated, processes image signalsgenerated by said imaging assembly to at least one of (a) decode andtransmit a decoded bar code message utilizing said radio transceiver,and (b) transmit said frame of image data utilizing said radiotransceiver, a dynamic access circuit incorporated in said datacollection device, said dynamic access circuit enabling said datacollection device to operate in accordance with a set of linking ruleswhen introduced to said data collection system, said set of linkingrules including the rules of: (a) detecting whether said data collectiondevice is in range of said access point; (b) detecting whether said datacollection device is in range of said at least one peer device; (c)operating said data collection device in an infrastructure mode if saiddata collection device is in range of said access point only and not inrange of any peer device; (d) operating said data collection device inad hoc mode if said data collection device is in range of said accesspoint only and not in range of any peer device; and (e) operating saiddata collection device in dynamic switching mode to dynamically switchbetween said infrastructure mode and said ad hoc mode if said datacollection device determines that said data collection device is inrange of both said access point and said at least one peer device, saiddynamic access circuit having a self-healing component; wherein saiddata collection device is configured to operate in a presentcommunication operating mode, the present communication operating modeselected from the candidate group consisting of: (1) said infrastructuremode; (2) said ad hoc mode; and (3) said dynamic switching mode in whichsaid data collection device dynamically switches between aninfrastructure and ad hoc communication mode; said self healingcomponent enabling said data collection device to (i) monitor datathroughput of said device; and (ii) change a present mode of said datacollection device from said present communication operating mode toanother of said candidate communication operating modes in response tosaid throughput monitoring; and a packet content discriminatordiscriminating whether data packets transmitted utilizing said radiotransceiver are decoded message data packets or image frame datapackets.

In addition, there is provided (L), a portable bar code reading devicefor incorporation in a system having an access point wireline connectedto a local server and at least one peer data collection device, saiddata collection device comprising: an imaging assembly including a twodimensional solid state image sensor array and a lens focusing an imageonto said solid state image sensor array; a radio transceiver; ahousing, wherein said identification decode unit and said radiotransceiver unit are supported by said housing, wherein said housing isone of a hand held housing and a re-mountable housing; and a dynamicaccess module enabling said data collection device to (i) determinewhether said data collection device is in range said access point, and(ii) determine whether said data collection device is in range of saidpeer data collection device, said dynamic access module further enablingsaid data collection device to receive data packets from said accesspoint and route payload data of said data packets to said peer device ifsaid data collection device determines that it is in range of both ofsaid access point and said peer device.

In addition, there is provided (M), a data collection system comprising:first, second, and third portable data collection devices, D1, D2, andD3, each portable data collection device being separately housed andhaving an encoded information reader unit selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reader unit, an RFID reader unit and acredit/debit card reading unit, and each being capable of operation in(a) infrastructure mode; (b) ad hoc mode and (c) dynamic switching modein which a data collection device dynamically switches betweeninfrastructure mode and ad hoc mode; an access point, AP, said accesspoint being adapted for wireline connection to a local wireline bus;wherein said data collection system is configured to support atransmission of a data packet along the hop sequence D1-D2-D3-AP in suchmanner that throughout a time that packet data is transmitted along saidhop sequence D1-D2-D3-AP, said first and second data collection devicesD1 and D2 remain in ad hoc mode while said third data collection device,D3, dynamically switches between infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode.

In addition, there is provided (N), a data collection device foroperation in a data communication system, having a local server and anaccess point configured for wireline connection to said local server,said data collection device comprising: an encoded information readerunit selected from the group consisting of a bar code reader unit, anRFID reader unit, and a credit card reader unit, said encodedinformation reader unit producing decoded out message data; a radiofrequency transceiver; a portable housing supporting said radiofrequency transceiver and components of said encoded information reader;a microphone; a Voice Over-Internet Protocol (VOIP) encoder/decoderreceiving and processing an analog signal output of said microphone,said data collection device being configured to generate VOIP datapackets for transmission utilizing said radio transceiver by processinga voice analog signal output from said microphone; wherein said datacollection device is configured to send a request to said access pointto buffer data packets addressed to said data collection device, saiddata collection device further being configured to operate in a mode ofoperation in which said data collection device broadcasts at least oneof a routing table data packet and a Route Request (RREQ) data packet;wherein said data collection device further includes a data packetcontent discriminator discriminating whether a data packet transmittedby said data collection device is (a) a VOIP data packet or (b) a datapacket containing said decoded output message data.

There is also provided the data collection device of (N), wherein saiddata packet content discriminator examines data packets buffered forwireless transmission by said data collection device.

There is also provided the data collection device of (N), wherein saiddata packet content discriminator receives a data content identifierfrom a control circuit of said data collection device.

There is also provided the data collection device of (N), wherein saiddata collection device further includes a plurality of selectableself-routing algorithm modules, and wherein said data collection deviceactivates one of said plurality of selectable self routing algorithmmodules based upon an output provided by said data packet contentdiscriminator.

While the present invention has necessarily been described withreference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be understoodthat the true spirit and scope of the present invention should bedetermined only with reference to claims that can be supported by thepresent specification.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of providing network connectivity within adata collection system comprising a server, an access pointcommunicatively coupled to the server, and a portable data collectiondevice residing outside of a communication range of the access point,the method comprising: introducing a new communication device within acommunication range of the portable data collection device, the newcommunication device configured to receive data packets from theportable data collection device and to route payload data of the datapackets to the access point if the new communication device determinesthat it is in range of both of the access point and the portable datacollection device; and establishing network communications between theportable data collection device and the server, responsive to detectinga presence of the new communication device within a communication rangeof the portable data collection device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the new communication device is further configured to receivedata packets from the access point and route payload data of the datapackets to the portable data collection device if the new communicationdevice determines that it is in range of both of the access point andthe portable data collection device.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe new communication device is disposed within a portable housingconfigured to be replaceable mounted on a fixed structure.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising the step of the new communication devicebroadcasting routing table data including at least one network address.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the new communication device isconfigured to operate in an infrastructure mode if the new communicationdevice is within a communication range of the access point only; whereinnew communication device is further configured to operate in an ad hocmode if the new communication device is within a communication range ofthe data collection device; and wherein the new communication device isfurther configured to operate in dynamic switching mode to dynamicallyswitch between an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode if the newcommunication device determines that the new communication device iswithin communication ranges of both the access point and the datacollection device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the newcommunication device is configured to operate in a present communicationoperating mode, the communication operating mode selected from thecandidate group consisting of: (a) an infrastructure mode; (b) an ad hocmode; and (c) a dynamic switching mode in which the new communicationdevice dynamically switches between an infrastructure and ad hoccommunication mode; and wherein the new communication device is furtherconfigured to change the present communication operating mode to anothermode of the candidate group of communication operating modes in responseto monitoring data throughput of the new communication device.
 7. A datacollection system comprising: a server; an access point communicativelycoupled to the server; a portable data collection device residingoutside of a communication range of the access point; wherein theportable data collection device and the server are configured toestablish a network communication responsive to the portable datacollection device or the server detecting a presence of a newcommunication device within a communication range of the portable datacollection device; wherein the new communication device is configured toreceive data packets from the portable data collection device and routepayload data of the data packets to the access point if the newcommunication device determines that it is in range of both of theaccess point and the portable data collection device.
 8. The datacollection system of claim 7, wherein the new communication device isfurther configured to receive data packets from the access point androute payload data of the data packets to the portable data collectiondevice if the new communication device determines that it is in range ofboth of the access point and the portable data collection device.
 9. Thedata collection system of claim 7, wherein the new communication deviceis disposed within a portable housing configured to be replaceablemounted on a fixed structure.
 10. The data collection system of claim 7,wherein the data collection device comprises at least one of: (i) animaging assembly including a two dimensional solid state image sensorarray and a lens focusing an image onto the solid state image sensorarray, (ii) an encoded information reader unit selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code decode unit, an RFID reader unit and acredit/debit card reader unit, and (iii) a Voice Over-Internet Protocol(VOIP) encoder/decoder configured to receive and process an analogsignal output of a microphone
 11. The data collection system of claim 7,wherein the new communication device is configured to broadcast routingtable data including at least one network address.
 12. The datacollection system of claim 7, wherein the new communication device isconfigured to operate in an infrastructure mode if the new communicationdevice is within a communication range of the access point only; whereinthe operate the new communication device is further configured tooperate in an ad hoc mode if the new communication device is within acommunication range of the data collection device; and wherein the newcommunication device is further configured to operate in dynamicswitching mode to dynamically switch between an infrastructure mode andan ad hoc mode if the new communication device determines that the newcommunication device is within communication ranges of both the accesspoint and the data collection device.
 13. The data collection system ofclaim 7, wherein the new communication device is configured to operatein a present communication operating mode, the communication operatingmode selected from the candidate group consisting of: (a) aninfrastructure mode; (b) an ad hoc mode; and (c) a dynamic switchingmode in which the new communication device dynamically switches betweenan infrastructure and ad hoc communication mode; and wherein the newcommunication device is further configured to change the presentcommunication operating mode to another mode of the candidate group ofcommunication operating modes in response to monitoring data throughputof the new communication device.
 14. A data collection systemcomprising: a server; an access point communicatively coupled to theserver; a first portable data collection device in communication withthe access point; a second portable data collection device residingoutside of communication ranges of both the first portable datacollection device and the access point; wherein the second portable datacollection device is configured to establish network communications withthe server responsive to detecting a presence of a new communicationdevice within a communication range of the second portable datacollection device; wherein the new communication device is configured toreceive data packets from the second portable data collection device androute payload data of the data packets to the access point if the newcommunication device determines that it is in range of both of theaccess point and the second portable data collection device, the newcommunication device further configured to receive data packets from thesecond portable data collection device and route payload data of thedata packets to the first portable data collection device if the newcommunication device determines that it is in range of both of the firstportable data collection device and the second portable data collectiondevice.
 15. The data collection system of claim 14, wherein the newcommunication device is further configured to receive data packets fromthe access point and route payload data of the data packets to thesecond portable data collection device if the new communication devicedetermines that it is in range of both of the access point and thesecond portable data collection device, the new communication devicefurther configured to receive data packets from the first portable datacollection device and route payload data of the data packets to thesecond portable data collection device if the new communication devicedetermines that it is in range of both of the first portable datacollection device and the second portable data collection device. 16.The data collection system of claim 14, wherein the new communicationdevice is disposed within a portable housing configured to bereplaceable mounted on a fixed structure.
 17. The data collection systemof claim 14, wherein at least one of the first data collection deviceand the second data collection device comprises at least one of: (i) animaging assembly including a two dimensional solid state image sensorarray and a lens focusing an image onto the solid state image sensorarray, (ii) an encoded information reader unit selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code decode unit, an RFID reader unit and acredit/debit card reader unit, and (iii) a Voice Over-Internet Protocol(VOIP) encoder/decoder configured to receive and process an analogsignal output of a microphone
 18. The data collection system of claim14, wherein at least one of the first data collection device and the newcommunication device is configured to broadcast routing table dataincluding at least one network address.
 19. The data collection systemof claim 14, wherein the new communication device is configured tooperate in an infrastructure mode if the new communication device iswithin a communication range of the access point only; wherein the newcommunication device is further configured to operate in an ad hoc modeif the new communication device is within a communication range of thesecond data collection device; and wherein the new communication deviceis further configured to operate in dynamic switching mode todynamically switch between an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode ifthe new communication device determines that the new communicationdevice is within communication ranges of both the access point and thesecond data collection device.
 20. The data collection system of claim14, wherein the new communication device is configured to operate in apresent communication operating mode, the communication operating modeselected from the candidate group consisting of: (a) an infrastructuremode; (b) an ad hoc mode; and (c) a dynamic switching mode in which thenew communication device dynamically switches between an infrastructureand ad hoc communication mode; and wherein the new communication deviceis further configured to change the present communication operating modeto another mode of the candidate group of communication operating modesin response to monitoring data throughput of the new communicationdevice.